The Sforza Castle in Milan

Visited by 8 million tourists every year, Milan is one of the most popular destinations in all of Italy where history, fashion, architecture, art and modernity come together to create an unforgettable atmosphere and scenery. It is right in the heart of this wonderful city that stands one of the most beautiful castles, a symbol of history and legend that embrace Milan: the Sforza Castle. The history of the Duchy of Milan is a long and controversial history, of war and peace, of losers and winners that has lasted for centuries and for centuries until it acquires the current statute. By participating in a Sforza Castle Guided Tour, you will be able to enter the heart of a complex history, articulated and diluted over time, with various owners, various people who have contributed to the construction of the sectors of this imposing building even on different levels. The Sforza Castle is one of the most precious and richest historical symbols of the city of Milan and an undisputed example of the splendor of the Sforza family. Two dynasties, a castle, a castle born as a fortress to defend the city and a castle that turns into the magnificent residence of one of the most important courts of the 1400s: the Sforza. A place of many dominations that has undergone changes over time while maintaining its original form. Undisputed genius who brought eternal prestige to the castle and the duchy of Milan was Leonardo who here organized a sort of university of knowledge frequented by artists, architects and engineers directed by himself. All that remains is to enter and see the ducal life of the 15th century flow before your eyes.

Things to know about Sforza Castle

The construction of the castle dates back to 1360 when Gian Galeazzo II Visconti decided to build a fortress behind the city walls. Initially only for military purposes, the fortress then became the undisputed symbol of Milan, so much so that it became a fortified citadel with ducal apartments. The Castle is one of the most fascinating monuments in Milan, with patrol paths, battlements, towers and moats. The real difference with most European cities is that the Sforza Castle does not stand on a hill, or on a mountain for a 360 ? control of the city, but is located in the very center of Milan. Of course, born as a defensive fortress, it had the task of defending the city from the external enemy, just think that the walls have a depth of 7 meters, but over the centuries it has suffered destruction, reconstruction and improvements by the various important families that have dominated the Milanese life, like the Viscontis and then the Sforza until, under the dynasty of Ludovico il Moro, it reached its maximum splendor. Today the Castle has become the cradle of a collection and complex articulation of Museums that contain the true history of Milan and its testimonies. The Museums of the Sforza Castle house collections of painting, sculpture and applied arts. They are divided into three macro-sections, prepared in a chronological sense where the Sala del Gonfalone and the Sala delle Asse stand out, housing the collections of Flemish and Dutch paintings from the 17th and 18th centuries. The museums hosted are the following: the Museum of Ancient Art, the Pinacoteca, the Egyptian Museum, the Museum of Prehistory, the Museum of decorative arts, furniture, musical instruments, photography, the art library and much more. . The Sforza Castle will surprise you in its maximum splendor. What are you waiting for!