Castello Sforzesco castle. Sforza Castle (Milan). Museums of the Sforzesco Castle
Well, what is it like in Milan without a castle? Of course, there is a castle here, and what a castle at that - Castello Sforzesco, the beauty and pride of Milan, one of its main symbols and attractions, second in popularity, probably, only to the Duomo.
Although, this was not always the case. Construction of Castello Sforzesco began in the 14th century. Initially, the castle was a quadrangular structure with a large courtyard and internal buildings, which was gradually built up and strengthened, turning into a powerful defensive fortress. In 1450, during the unrest and change of power in Milan, the government of the new Ambrosian Republic demanded that the castle be demolished as a symbol of the hated former rule (a familiar situation, isn't it?). But the new Lord and ruler of Milan, Francesco Sforza (the name of the castle comes from his name) behaved very wisely: he not only did not destroy the fortress, but also ordered the restoration of what had already been destroyed. This is where the story of the expansion and decoration of Castello Sforzesco begins, which over time became one of the most luxurious castles in all of northern Italy. It reached its greatest splendor under Duke Ludovico il Moro, who summoned Leonardo da Vinci himself and Donato Bramante, also a very famous architect and artist, for architectural work.
But the peaceful period did not last long, and in 1499 Castello Sforzesco was occupied by French troops. I will not bore you with long historical details, I will only say that after the French there were the Spaniards, then the Austrians, then Napoleon, invariably turning the castle into a military barracks, which did not at all contribute to its beauty and splendor. By 1880, Castello Sforzesco had reached such a pitiful state that they again seriously wanted to demolish it. But, fortunately, this time the Castle was lucky too - the Milanese administration of that time approved a project for the complete restoration of Castello Sforzesco. And in 1893, restoration work began under the leadership of the architect Luca Beltrami, who did everything possible and impossible: after eight years of work, the result was amazing! Milan finally found its Castle - its symbol and its pride, which Castello Sforzesco is to this day.
What to pay attention to: Philaret Tower- was built in the 15th century according to the design of the Florentine architect Filaret (hence the name), but after the completion of construction work, on June 23, 1521, the gunpowder stored under the tower exploded and completely destroyed it. During the restoration work of the castle, the tireless architect Luca Beltrami completely restored the tower, and in its original form. This is a quadrangular tower 70 meters high, directly below the first crenellated ornament there is a statue of St. Ambrose, the patron saint of Milan, above is the tower clock.
Doesn't remind you of anything? Well, yes, the towers of the Moscow Kremlin. I won’t say that the Castello Sforzesco is a genuine prototype, but it certainly looks like it!
Fountain "Wedding Cake" or, as the Milanese call it “Torta di Spùs”, located right in front of the Filaret Tower, is another landmark of Milan. For all the romantics looking for a soul mate: throwing a coin or two into the fountain brings good luck in matters of the heart, perhaps without leaving the fountain.
What to do yourself: Visiting Castello Sforzesco is free (great, right?), but I highly recommend visiting the castle museums as well. Price - 5 euros, for children under 18(!) years old free, every Tuesday from 2 pm free. Closed on Monday. The entrance, like the ticket to all museums, is the same, you just move smoothly from one museum to another. In addition to amazing works of art - paintings, tapestries, medieval armor and so on, everything is very interesting and beautiful, here you will find two real Egyptian mummies. Of course, you can’t call them beautiful, but my children were completely delighted, and in Russia, I know, there aren’t a lot of mummies. So, it will be interesting!
How to get there: Castello Sforzesco is located in the center of Milan, so you can easily walk from the Duomo on foot, along the beautiful pedestrian street Dante, or by metro (red line M1 stop Cairoli), and there are countless trams and buses that stop here.
Milan is home to the Sforza Castle, whose dramatic, centuries-old history is associated with ups and downs, destruction and restoration. Thanks to the efforts of Italian restorers and architects, today anyone has the opportunity to admire the ancient towers and fortress walls and stroll around the castle.
How it all began
Like many other Castello Sforzesco, as the Italians themselves call this castle, it stands on the site of quite ancient buildings. The very first one was built here in the 14th century by the Visconti family, who managed to take power in Milan into their own hands for a long time, and subsequently subjugate most of the surrounding cities.
Gian Galeazzo I Visconti managed not only to extend his influence to such cities of central Italy as Siena and Pisa, but also to buy a ducal title for himself and his own heirs. His descendants failed to annex new lands to the Duchy of Milan. As a result of many military conflicts with Venice at the beginning of the 15th century, Milan, the city-state, lost many of its conquered territories.
After the death in 1447 of the last representative of the Visconti family - Duke Filippo Maria - the rebels of the city proclaimed the Ambrosian Republic and dismantled the castle of the hated rulers.
Construction stages
But further affairs for this republic went rather poorly, and as a result of the military actions of the Venetians, Milan lost a significant part of its territories. Residents of the city began to look for a strong leader and invited the military mercenary Francesco Sforza, who had previously served with the Visconti and became related to this family. In 1450, the Senate of Milan presented him with the ducal title. In the same year, Francesco Sforza began building his Milanese castle, intended as an elegant and luxurious ducal residence, but also as a powerful defensive structure. To implement this plan, such famous architects as Antonio Filarete, Bartolomeo Gadio, Marcoleone da Nogarolo, Jacopo da Cortona and many others were invited. Under the leadership of the first of them, the central tower was erected, but Bartolomeo Gadio was responsible for the construction of massive defensive walls and four corner defensive towers.
In 1446, Francesco Sforza died, and his eldest son, Galeazzo Maria, became the ruler of Milan. Under him, the Sforza Castle continued to develop, and the new Duke sent architects and craftsmen from Florence to Milan to carry out construction work. After the murder of Galeazzo in 1467, his wife Bona of Savoy, trying to protect herself, built Bona's tower, tall at that time - Torre di Bona in Rochetta - the most protected part of the castle.
The era of the Italian wars
Lodovico Maria Sforza, who came to power in 1494, continues to rebuild the Sforza Castle in Milan and invites the best Italian masters to do this - Bramante, who became the author of many architectural and decorative elements, and Leonardo da Vinci, who worked on defensive structures and created a series of frescoes.
In 1500, during one of the Italian Wars between the Empire and France, the troops of King Louis XII entered Milan and captured Ludovico Sforza. He was taken to France, where he died.
The Sforza Castle received serious damage in 1521, when the central tower of Filarete, used at that time as an ammunition depot, was struck by lightning.
Spanish time
The Spaniards, who ruled Milan in the mid-16th century, significantly modernized the castle. They built new modern fortifications in the shape of a six-pointed star around the old walls, the area of which was approximately 26 hectares. The city governor moved to the Royal Palace, and a military garrison was located in the castle. After the crushing defeat of the king's troops at Pavia, thanks to the support of the emperor and the Spanish king Charles V, the Sforza family returns to power. Francesco II becomes Duke of Milan.
Austrian dominance
After the death of Francesco II Maria Sforza in 1534, the Habsburgs annexed the Duchy of Milan and appointed a governor to govern it. During the rule of the Austrians, the Sforza Castle was used as an armory and a soldiers' barracks. Some of the structures on its territory were restored or rebuilt. The most visible trace of the Habsburg period is the statue of John of Nepomuk, erected on the bridgehead.
Napoleonic time
After Napoleon Bonaparte invaded Italy in 1796, Austria, which concluded the peace agreement at Campo Formio, had to give up Lombardy. General Bonaparte chose Milan as his city of residence for five whole years: from 1796 to 1801. Despite petitions from townspeople demanding the complete demolition of the castle, Napoleon orders that until the defeat of the French troops in 1814, Milan will be the capital of various states created in Italy by Napoleon.
According to the results of the pan-European conference in Vienna, the city again fell into Austrian possession and became the center of the new Lombardo-Venetian kingdom. In 1848, during the Five Days of Milan, when rebels fought for independence from the Austrian occupiers, the cannons of the Sforza Castle fired on Milan. The uprising was suppressed, and all its participants were arrested and imprisoned in prison cells.
In 1859, the Austrians left Lombardy, and local residents captured and plundered the castle, after which it fell into disrepair.
Modern history
Many residents of Milan at the end of the 19th century demanded that this castle in Italy be destroyed, wiped off the face of the earth and something more useful be built in its place, for example an elite residential quarter. Fortunately, they decided not to demolish the fortress, but, on the contrary, to restore it. The restoration of the castle began in 1893 by the architect Luca Beltrami, who sought to recreate the historical appearance of the buildings during the reign of Sforza. In 1905, the restored Filarete Tower was opened, and Sempione Park was laid out on the other side of the castle.
During the bombing of World War II, many architectural monuments were damaged, including the Castello Sforzesco, especially the Rochetta. By the end of the 50s of the last century, the castle was restored and opened to the public.
The last change in the appearance of the fortress was a large fountain in its internal square, nicknamed by the Milanese “Wedding Cake” and built to replace the old one, demolished during the construction of the metro in the 60s of the 20th century.
Architecture
The modern Sforzesco Castle is a square-shaped structure with the Piazza delle Armi in the center. It is surrounded by massive walls, and the central gate is built in the form of a square multi-tiered tower - Filarete, which at one time served as the prototype of the Spasskaya Tower in the Moscow Kremlin. To the right and left of it are the corner round towers - di Santo Spirito and dei Carmini.
Passing through the main entrance of the Filarete Tower, we enter Piazza delle Armi and can see the tower located on the site of the Porta Giovia gate. To the right of it are the ducal chambers, and to the left is the most fortified part of the castle - Rochetta. It has its own small courtyard, as well as two rather tall towers: Torre Castellana (Castle) and the Tower of Bona Savoy. On the ground floor of Torre Castellana there is a treasury where you can see surviving frescoes by Bramantino.
Inside the ducal apartments there is a small area surrounded by a portico, known today as the “Portico of the Elephant” (Portico dell’Elefante), so named because of the fresco depicting this animal.
Castle museums
Having arrived in an ancient city on the map that you would like to visit, you can study it endlessly.
But it is worth choosing the Sforza Castle: it is also the place where many museums are concentrated. Among them are an art gallery, a Museum of Ancient Art, a collection of musical instruments, a collection of medieval tapestries and many other exhibitions. By entering the castle for free, you can buy a single ticket to visit all museums or separately for each exhibition that interests you.
The Sforza Castle, which, along with the adjacent park area, is a kind of calling card of Milan, is not only a striking landmark of the city, but also the former government residence of the Visconti family.
History of construction
The history of Sforzesco Castle dates back to the mid-14th century. The construction was preceded by some events in the political life of Milan, namely the rise to power of a representative of the Visconti family in the 13th century- Archbishop Ottone Visconti. By the 14th century, the Visconti family managed to subjugate many cities in northern Italy.
But by the middle of the 14th century, Duke Visconti began to lose his political position, and the Ambrosian Republic was established in Milan. The townspeople, tired of the duke's tyranny, partially destroyed the castle, causing him enormous damage.
A descendant of the Duke, Francesco Sforza (who was the son-in-law of the last representative of the Visconti male line), having received the title of Duke from the Milanese Senate in 1450, decides to restore the former ducal residence. According to Sforza, the castle was supposed to become not only a defensive fortress, but also a symbol of Milanese beauty.
Over time, high towers appeared at the corners of the fortress walls, and in 1473 the Corte Duccale Chapel (Duke's Chapel) was built. At the end of the 15th century, one of the duke’s heirs - Louis Sforza - ordered to remodel the castle, adding grace and splendor to it.
For this purpose, the best masters of their era were convened, and among them was Leonardo da Vinci. It was here that his famous paintings were created - “The Lady with an Ermine” (the beloved of Duke Cecilia Gallerani), “The Beautiful Ferroniere” (Lucrezia Crivelli). There were also magnificent ceiling frescoes by Leonardo, but little remains of them today.
After the death of Louis Sforza, the castle gradually began to decline. In 1521, Philaret's tower was struck by lightning and had to be dismantled - it was so badly damaged. During the Italian Wars in the middle of the 16th century the castle turned into an impregnable bastion: its premises became a barracks for more than 2,000 soldiers, the towers became observation posts, and the chapel became a military church. The battles also left their mark on the building; marks and traces of bullets can still be seen here and there.
In 1833, the city administration decided to restore the castle as a city landmark. The restoration took place under the direction of the Milanese master Luca Beltrami. And after the creation of the independent Italian state in 1861, it was decided not only to restore Castello Sforzesco, but also to turn it into one of the main architectural symbols of the city.
The castle also had to be restored after the events of World War II - as a result of enemy raids, the castle was seriously damaged. Restoration work continued until 1956.
This video shows the modern appearance of the Sforzesco Castle:
Description of the attraction and photos
To get to the central courtyard of the castle, you had to go through the main gate through the Philaret Tower - a multi-tiered building whose height reaches 71 meters.
The tower is decorated with heraldic frescoes, a bas-relief of King Umberto the First, the second tier is decorated with an ancient clock “Sun of Justice”. They remained as a memory of the first Duke Visconti, who laid the first stones of the Castello Sforzesco.
Around the castle Sempione Park was built on the site of the former parade ground. The large Piazza delle Armi, where military exercises were previously held, has now become a meeting place for vacationing youth.
Many people who have visited Milan say that The castle looks very much like the Moscow Kremlin because of the battlements in the shape of a swallow's nest that decorated the towers. There is a reasonable explanation for this: Milanese architects participated in the construction of the Kremlin, who wanted to give the Russian building a strict but luxurious appearance.
As an architectural and historical monument, the Sforza Castle became accessible to tourists only in 1900, when the Museum of Archeology and History was opened in the castle premises.
Today the castle houses a whole museum complex: Museum of Egyptian Antiquities, Historical Museum, Museum of Antique Furniture, Museum of Wooden Sculpture, Museum of Rare Musical Instruments. A huge collection of paintings by artists of medieval Milan forms the decoration of the collection - those interested can get acquainted with the works of Giovanni Bellini, Michelangelo Buonarotti, Mantegna.
Besides, There is a city library under the castle roof, which contains unique materials on the history of Milan.
Check out and - perhaps these terminals will seem to you the most suitable for traveling to the city.
Lake Como is located not far from Milan. We recommend you visit this
The history of the Milan castle dates back to the 14th century. True, the modern traveler will not discover that option. Local residents saw it as nothing more than a symbol of oppression and a stronghold of the tyranny of the then ruling Visconti, so they dismantled it into pieces. The new castle appeared in the middle of the 15th century. through the efforts of the Sforza dynasty, which hoped to create the greatest residence in Europe.
But the century of prosperity was short-lived. Apparently, the difficult fate of the owners extended to their brainchild. Over the centuries, the fortress was destined to survive a variety of troubles: the indifference of the owners, military operations, lightning strikes, the organization of barracks and much more. Fate turned its face only in the 19th century, when a restoration was carried out that returned the medieval features to the complex. Much had to be restored after the Second World War.
The Sforza Castle and Sempione Park are the pride of the Milanese and one of the symbols of this ancient and beautiful city.
The decision to begin construction of the castle-fortress was made in 1368 by the Duke of Milan, Galeazzo II Visconti, from the famous Visconti dynasty, which ruled Milan for about two centuries, from 1277 to 1447. Construction of the Sforza Castle began under Francesco Sforza, who seized power in Milan in 1450
Francesco Sforza died in 1466, and his heirs, with the help of Leonardo da Vinci and Bramante, rebuilt the castle as a ducal residence. At the same time, the luxurious interiors of the castle were created, some of which can still be seen today. The castle began to include a series of courtyards, an elegant square framed by arcades by Bramante and Filarete. The palace becomes the residence of the Dukes of Milan; Galeazzo and his wife Bona of Savoy move here from the city palace.
During the reign of Duke Lodovico Moro, brother of Galeazzo (late 70s - 90s of the 15th century), the Sforza Castle became one of the most beautiful and rich ducal courts in Italy
With the outbreak of the Italian Wars, Lodovico Sforza fled from Milan, and the French king Louis XII settled in Sforza Castle. Under his successor Francis, the castle fell into disrepair; in 1521, a powder warehouse in the Filarete tower exploded due to a lightning strike, after which it was dismantled
The Spanish governor Ferrante Gonzaga, having begun to strengthen the city, built the Sforzesco castle in the center of the new Milanese fortifications in the shape of a star. Barracks for 2000 soldiers were built in the palace chambers
During the period of Spanish rule, the Sforza Castle, which continued to play the role of a defensive fortress, was surrounded by additional fortifications and massive ramparts. Drawings and literary sources of the time indicate that a hospital, a tavern, ice and food storage facilities, and two military churches were also located here. The halls, painted by Leonardo and Bramantino, were converted into utility rooms
During the time of Napoleon, the ducal power fell again, and some Milanese professing extreme views demanded the destruction of the Sforza Palace. Napoleon, contrary to these demands, decided to restore the old part of the castle-fortress to house his troops. And the troops were again stationed in the castle - now Napoleonic. Under Napoleon, numerous ramparts and fortifications built by the Spaniards were demolished. But only part of the territory was developed, turned into a vast public garden.
During the Revolutionary Wars, Milan was again captured by the French, who were briefly driven out of the city by A.V. Suvorov in April 1799. After the return of the French, local patriots presented Napoleon with a petition that Castello Sforzesco should share the fate of the Bastille as a symbol of the autocracy they hated. Instead of destroying the castle, Napoleon ordered a spacious square to be built in front of it. In 1833, a large-scale restoration of the Castello was carried out in a romantic spirit, which included the restoration of such medieval features as the moat around the castle
Restoration of the palace began in the middle of the 19th century. But it was really started only after the creation of a single independent Italian state in 1861. At this time, the castle was not only included in the list of monuments subject to priority reconstruction, but was also recognized as one of the main symbols of the city
Source: http://tiptotrip.ru/tips/962-zamok-sfortsa-v-milane#ixzz2322AbdjW
http://lifeglobe.net/blogs/details?id=783
3. They say that the Sforzesco Castle resembles the Moscow Kremlin and this is true, since the Kremlin was built by Milanese architects, who took the Milan Castle as a model. An interesting architectural detail: all the walls and towers of castles are usually crowned with battlements; they come in two types: square or dovetail-shaped. It turns out there is a reason for this. Castles and fortresses with square-shaped battlements were built by supporters of the Pope, while those with a dovetail shape were built by his opponents. So, already outwardly it was possible to predict who would own this fortification. Therefore, in the Moscow Kremlin, thinking logically, Milanese architects built battlements in the form of a swallowtail.
coat of arms of Milan... 
4. The author of the original project is unknown; in all likelihood, construction began in 1368 and the castle experienced its moments of prosperity and decline, and was rebuilt many times. Directly in front of the Castle there is a large fountain, and behind it is the Philaret Tower. This quadrangular tower is 70 meters high. The tower is decorated with several decorative elements....
5.
The bas-relief above the gate depicts King Umberto I
6. Directly below the first crenellation stands a statue of Saint Ambrogio between two large coats of arms,
7.
Well, above, there is a large tower clock. The clock is the “sun of justice” - a symbol of the Visconti family, who began the construction of this architectural monument...
8. If you walk under the main tower, you find yourself in a large square - Piazza d'Armi - they used to play the role of a military parade ground for the training of soldiers who guarded the castle.
9. Museum and Library buildings are built into the walls along the perimeter of the square; the square is also decorated with many decorative elements, columns, remains of sculptures, and frescoes. The corner towers were built around 1455 - of course, their main purpose was defense, but as the guide told us, they also served as a prison. 
11.
Opposite the Philaret Tower in 1729, a monument to the famous Czech saint, John of Nepomuk (in Italian he sounds like San Giovanni Nepomuceno) was erected.
13.
Through the gate with the large coat of arms of the Sforza family you can enter the Ducal Court, where the buildings of the Castello museums are located, and then details of the castle...
14. a drinking water pump in the castle courtyard...
15.These cats were seen in the yard, wandering peacefully here and there, but the most interesting thing is the bird that is between them - it feels quite comfortable)))
16. Perhaps such contact with eternity is more... digestible)
19.
The castle was once simply huge, but now some elements of the 16th century castle have been preserved outside its territory.
Castello Sforzesco
“Francesco Sforza, knowing how to fight, from a private person became the Duke of Milan, his children, evading the hardships of war, from dukes became private citizens.”
Nicolo Machiavelli, "The Prince"
Sforza Castle - one of the most famous castles in Italy is located in the very heart of Milan and, being inextricably linked, symbolizes the entire centuries-old history of the city. The castle was rebuilt many times, many times it had to defend itself not only from external enemies, but also from the townspeople themselves, but thanks to Italian architects and restorers, it can still delight any visitor today.
Giovanni Visconti The Sforza Castle dates back to the time when the Duchy of Milan passed into the hands of the House of Visconti, who managed to get it from the hands of their enemies - the House of Della Torre. Thanks to the wise policies of the House of Visconti, in particular Matteo I, most of Lombardy was under its control.
Bernardo Bellotto, Castello Sforzesco di Milano, 1750 circa
During the reign of Giovanni Visconti, the Duchy of Milan captured the city of Bologna, gained access to the sea by capturing Genoa, and controlled one of the cantons of what is now Switzerland.
Giovanni Visconti died in 1354. His nephews Matteo II, Galeazzo II and Bernabo inherited all his possessions, including Milan. Matteo died a year later, so all the territories, including Milan, were divided between the two remaining brothers. Bernabo received the eastern lands on the border with Verona, Galeazzo - the western ones. Milan was to be ruled by each brother in turn.
Il progetto dell"Antolini (lato Milano)
At that time, Milan was a powerful city with a developed infrastructure: the city was surrounded by protective walls and gates, bridges and markets were built, the city streets were paved and provided with sewage.
Between 1360 and 1370 Galeazzo II decides to strengthen one of the city gates and begins the construction of a castle-fortress as part of the existing city walls. The business was continued by Galeazzo's son, Gian-Galeazzo. He built a small structure that served as barracks for mercenaries.
1958 The plan for the construction of the castle from the time of Visconti Gian during his reign (1378-1402) centralized the management of the duchy, created conditions for the development of arts, industry and trade. It was under him that the famous Milan Cathedral, the Duomo, began to be built.
Bramantino, Argo, Sala del Tesoro
Estátua de San Giovanni (São João) Nepomuceno
The last of the Visconti dynasty, Filippo Maria, continued work on the construction of the castle, which had already turned into a ducal residence. On the initiative, a park was laid out next to the castle.
Filippo had no male heirs, and his illegitimate daughter, Bianca Maria, married a prominent Milanese mercenary commander, Francesco Sforza.
After the death of Filippo in 1447, the Milanese, tired of the tyranny of the Visconti, proclaimed the so-called. Ambrosian Republic. The Visconti castle was destroyed, and its stones were used to pay debts to the builders who renovated the old city walls.
The republic did not last long, only 3 years. During this time, Francesco Sforza managed to protect it from several attacks by both the Venetians and the Lombardians. Given this success and his role in the victories, Francesco managed to proclaim himself the new Duke of Milan.
After coming to power, Sforza decides to build the castle he himself once destroyed. According to his plan, the new fortress should become a symbol of the beauty of the city and protect Milan from possible enemies. Many famous architects were commissioned to work on the castle, including Jacopo da Cortona, Giovanni da Milano and Marcoleone da Nogarolo.
Francesco Sforza
In 1452, the Florentine architect Antonio Averulino, also known as Antonio Filarete ("Il Filarete"), was commissioned to build the castle's central passage tower. Although the castle was conceived as a luxurious residence for the Duke, Antonio was soon removed from work and the military architect Bartolomeo Gadio took over the matter.
To complete the work, Sforza even asked permission from the Pope to destroy the church that was interfering with construction. However, despite such love for the brainchild, Sforza still preferred to live in Milan in the old Arengo Palace.
After the death of Francesco Sforza in 1466, his first son Galeazzo Maria came to power in Milan. He again got the idea to turn the castle into a luxurious residence and commissioned Florentine architects. They added many new elements, including designing stables for 90 horses.
Historians characterize the Sforzas of that time as people who loved to buy luxury things, horses, diamonds, but at the same time slept next to the “chicken coop”. Often they fell asleep in the same hall where there had been a banquet before.
After several years of tireless work, the castle finally turned into a luxurious residence. The Rocchetta courtyard was decorated with a portico, and inside one of the rooms there was a Ballroom (“Sala della Balla”). Here Galeazzo Maria liked to play sports something similar to modern tennis.
Galeazzo Maria Sforza was killed on December 26, 1476 in front of the Chapel of St. Stephen. Fearing for her life, his wife Bona of Savoy built a high tower in the most protected part of the castle, Rochetta. From here she could observe all the buildings. Today this tower is known as the "Torre di Bona" (Tower of Bona).
In 1480, power was seized from Galeazzo Maria's young son by his brother, Lodovico Maria, also known as "Il Moro" (The Moor). Galeazzo Maria's initials in all rooms of the castle were replaced by Lodovic's monograms
In 1482, Duke Lodovico invited Leonardo da Vinci to join the Ducal College of Engineers in Milan. The latter decorated the castle with frescoes in the "Sala delle Asse". After a long restoration, the frescoes can still be seen today. During the so-called During the “Italian Wars,” Milan, and with it the Sforza Castle, passed either into the hands of the French, or the Swiss, or into the hands of the troops of the Holy Roman Empire.
On June 23, 1521, the archives report that the castle's Philaret Tower was struck by lightning. The tower was used as an ammunition depot, so the tower was almost completely destroyed and the castle was seriously damaged.
Starting in 1549, new massive walls were built around Milan (outside the old ones). The Sforza Castle was connected to them with a "Tenaglie" (claw). Some led to Porta Comasina, others to Porta Vercellina. Soon, however, such a system was considered unsuccessful and was replaced by the bastion system, which had already proven its effectiveness by that time.
The Sforza Castle turned from a luxurious residence into a real fortress; up to 2,000 soldiers could be stationed in it at the same time. All construction costs were borne by the residents of Milan. According to archival sources, the fortress also had: a hospital, a pharmacy, craft shops, a bakery, a tavern, warehouses and two churches.
In 1706, Milan was captured by the Austrians under the leadership of Eugene of Savoy. The castle was again used as a barracks, this time for Austrian soldiers.
One of the important lines in the history of the Milan Castle is connected with Napoleon. On May 9, 1796, Duke Ferdinand fled from Milan, leaving a garrison of only 2,000 soldiers, 152 cannons, and 3,000 quintals of gunpowder to defend the city. At first, the Austrian lieutenant Lamy managed to hold back the townspeople supporting the French, but Milan was besieged by Napoleon and on May 15, 1796, the French emperor entered the city. By the end of June the castle was also in French hands
Napoleon planned to place a garrison of 4,000 people in the castle, but the fanatical citizens of Milan demanded that the symbol of former tyranny be completely destroyed. Fortunately, in April 1799, troops approached Milan under the leadership of A.V. Suvorov (Russia, England and Austria took joint military action against Napoleon’s expansion), the city was besieged and taken by Suvorov’s army. Soon, at the request of the Austrian Emperor, Suvorov had to leave with the army for Switzerland (this was his famous crossing of the Alps).
The ducal chapel was turned into a stable, the duke's rooms became dormitories, and the frescoes were painted over with lime.
At the beginning of the 19th century, the bastions and ramparts of star-shaped fortifications, built under the Austrians, were demolished. The population rejoiced! According to the new project, a huge square appeared around the castle, called Foro Bonaparte. In its center is the Sforza Castle, which was supposed to house the government.
However, after April 1801 the project was shelved and then gradually transformed into the square known today as Piazza delle Armi. After Napoleon's defeat in 1815, the Austrians returned to Milan. Little has changed in the life of the Sforza Castle - it continued to be used as barracks. Only on the gate in the northwestern part of the castle did several decorative elements appear, depicting generals from the Habsburg dynasty.
During the “Five Days” (Milanese revolt) from March 18 to 22, 1848, the cannons of the Sforza Castle bombarded Milan. All the instigators of the uprising were arrested and imprisoned in the prison cells of the castle.
After the Austrians left Lombardy in 1859, the castle was captured and plundered by the inhabitants of Milan.
After the Italian Reunification (Risorgimento), various projects were proposed to restore the Sforzesco Castle. Some again proposed to destroy it, someone considered it necessary to rebuild the fortifications in the Gothic style, etc. As a result, the “philological” option was chosen. Work began in 1893 under the direction of the architect Luca Beltrami. The height of several towers was reduced, and the walls connecting the castle with the city walls were demolished. Old rooms, frescoes, cornices were restored, and the roof was renewed. There is a museum in the ducal apartments.
Fra Filippo Lippi - Madonna of Humility (Trivulzio Madonna)
The opening of the Sforza Castle to the general public took place in May 1900. The reconstruction of the castle was completed in 1905 with the restoration of the Filarete tower.
Museo egizio di Milano (situato nel Castello sforzesco). Sarcofago di Tas-Bestet-Peret. Tebe, XXVI dynastia.
Unfortunately, the Second World War did not spare the castle and in 1943, during the bombing, it was again seriously damaged, especially by Rocchetta.
By 1956, the castle was again restored to the form that any visitor can see today.
Pietro Bussolo "Annunciata" Bassorilievo ligneo, 1480 circa
Egyptian Museum
Museum of Musical Instruments
Furniture Museum
The Milan castle was originally built in the 14th century as the residence of the Visconti, but was dismantled by a crowd of rebellious people after the proclamation of the Ambrosian Republic. Rebuilt by Francesco Sforza in the mid-15th century. In the second half of the 15th century, Leonardo da Vinci was involved in decorating the castle; Of his works, only a pergola and a manuscript with literary experiments have survived.
The appearance of the Sforza fortress was taken as a model by the Milanese architects who worked on the Moscow Kremlin (the shape of the towers and the crown of battlements crowning the walls). The central tower of the Milan fortress (“Filarete Tower”) was designed by Antonio Filarete, who at one time worked with Aristotle Fioravanti.
With the outbreak of the Italian Wars, Lodovico Sforza fled from Milan, and the French king Louis XII settled in Castello Sforzesco. Under his successor Francis, the castle fell into disrepair; in 1521, a powder warehouse in the Filaret tower exploded due to a lightning strike, after which it was dismantled. The Spanish governor Ferrante Gonzaga, having begun to strengthen the city, built the Sforzesco castle in the center of the new Milanese fortifications in the shape of a star. Barracks for 2,000 soldiers were built in the palace chambers.
During the Revolutionary Wars, Milan was again captured by the French, who were briefly driven out of the city by A.V. Suvorov in April 1799. After the return of the French, local patriots presented Napoleon with a petition that Castello Sforzesco should share the fate of the Bastille as a symbol of the autocracy they hated. Instead of destroying the castle, Napoleon ordered a spacious square to be built in front of it. In 1833, a large-scale restoration of the Castello was carried out in a romantic spirit, which included the restoration of such medieval features as the moat around the castle. During the restoration in 1900, the famous Filarete Tower was also recreated.
Nowadays, in the Sforza Castle there is a group of museums (ancient Egypt, prehistoric, musical instruments, dishes and a number of others), for which there is a single entrance ticket (on Friday afternoons admission is free). Almost no trace remains of Leonardo's frescoes in the ducal chambers; The ball game room and the “elephant portico” have survived to this day in much better condition. In the castle you can see Michelangelo's last (unfinished) sculpture, Pieta Rondanini, paintings by Mantegna, Giovanni Bellini, Filippino Lippi, Correggio and Pontormo, as well as a curious collection of musical instruments.
The Sforzesco Castle in Milan is one of the most important landmarks in Italy. It has long served as a symbol of power for local and foreign rulers. At the beginning of the twentieth century, the building was saved from demolition. It now houses several civic museums.
History of Sforza
In 1358, Galeazzo Isc Visconti (first Duke of Milan) ordered the construction of a fortress. Construction was completed in 1368. The castle originally had a basic layout: four walls, each one hundred and eighty meters (591 ft) long, and a square tower at each corner. His successors (Gian Galeazzo and Filippo Maria) expanded the fortress and turned it into a luxurious residence. After Filippo Maria Visconti died without an heir in 1447, the Milanese proclaimed the Ambrosian Republic and completely destroyed the building, considered a symbol of the Visconti.
The fledgling republic, at war with Venice, turned to the famous military leader Francesco Sforza for help. Just three years later, he seized power and declared himself Duke of Milan. Sforza quickly rebuilt the castle, but this time a seventy-meter (230 ft) high central tower, the Torre del Filarete, was erected, surrounded by large round turrets. His followers also improved and embellished the structure.
During its heyday under the reign of Ludovico Sforza, nicknamed "Il Moro", the fortress was transformed into a luxurious Renaissance residence. The Duke turned to the great artists of his time, including Donato Bramante and Leonardo da Vinci, to decorate it.
In subsequent centuries, when Milan was under foreign domination, the castle was abandoned and was mainly used as a barracks. Torre del Filareta, which was used as an ammunition storage facility, exploded in 1521. During the second half of the sixteenth century, the Spaniards added star-shaped fortifications around the fortress, which were later partially destroyed by Napoleon's troops.
After the unification of Italy in 1861, the castle was in such poor condition that the city's residents considered demolishing it. Nevertheless, the architect Luca Beltrami saved the dilapidated structure from destruction by proposing to turn it into a public building with premises for several cultural institutions. In 1893, Beltrami began renovations to the monumental castle. He restored damaged towers, recreated the moat, and demolished structures that had been added during foreign rule. He even restored Torre del Filarete using the original plans.
The restored Sforzesco Castle opened to the public in 1900. By the way, it can be confused with the castle of Princess Bona Sforza in Rogachev, but this is a completely different story and territory too.
It is worth noting that the Sforza Castle and the Kremlin are almost twins, and this is especially evident if you compare their photos. It is located around three courtyards, dominated by its many buildings. At each corner there are four imposing towers: two round at the main façade facing the city, and two square at the other end. The round towers (31 m or 102 lb in height) are known as Torre di Santi Spirito and Torre del Carmine. In the rear there are two more ordinary towers - Torre Castellana and Torre Falconiera.
The main entrance to the Sforzesco Castle leads through the tallest tower (Torre del Filarete) to Piazza d'Armi - a vast courtyard. Another tower (Torre di Bona di Savoia) is visible from the courtyard.
Behind it is the “heart” of the castle - the palace residences of the Sforza Dukes, surrounding two small courtyards: Cortille della Rocchetta on the left and Corte Ducale on the right.
Rocchetta was the castle's fortress and the last refuge in case of siege. During the reign of Louis Il Moreau, the residences around the courtyard were magnificently decorated with frescoes. The three galleries that border the courtyard were designed by three different architects. The Torre Castellana tower in the western corner of Rocchetta was used at that time as a treasury.
Corte Ducal Courtyard is designed in Renaissance style and has a beautiful Loggetta di Galeazzo Maria. Several rooms around Corte Ducale are decorated with magnificent fifteenth-century frescoes.
The most famous is the fresco in the Sala delle Asse in the Falconiera tower, created by none other than Leonardo da Vinci.
In addition, the Sforza Castle has civic museums - Musei Civici. They occupy several floors around the Rochetta and Ducalet courtyard.
The archaeological museum's collection, containing prehistoric and Egyptian artifacts, can be seen in the basement levels near the Ducal Palace. On the ground floor there is an exhibition of ancient art. The most striking: the fourth-century sarcophagus, the fourteenth-century mausoleum of Bernabo Visconti and the Pieta Rondanini - an unfinished sculpture by Michelangelo. On the ground floor there is a furniture collection and an art gallery, which mainly displays Italian paintings, including Andrea Mantegna's "Trivulzio Madonna".
On the first and second floors of Rocchetta's house there is a museum of musical instruments and a collection of applied art. On the ground floor you will find historical musical instruments such as a sixteenth-century Venetian harpsichord, a glass harmonica and a Flemish double virginal. The collection of applied art includes many objects made of gold, silver, glass, porcelain, ivory and wrought iron from the Middle Ages to the nineteenth century. When you visit Castello Sforzesco in Milan and its magnificent museums, you won't be able to take home ugly photos.
Underground passages
Beneath the castle is a labyrinth of underground tunnels. Some of them were built by Ludovico Sforza in the 14th century. He was not a very good duke, so the citizens of Milan looked for any opportunity to either cause him terrible harm or put an end to him. So Ludovico built these tunnels in such a way that he could come and go as he pleased. At that time, anger against him was at its peak. Rumor has it that one of the tunnels connected the castle with the convent of Santa Maria della Grazia. However, this tunnel was destroyed during World War II.
As for the Spaniards, they added several more tunnels to the existing ones just because of the war. They were interested in having a strong hold on the region and did everything possible for this purpose. Tunneling was part of a Spanish strategy. Today, the underground passages in the Sforzesco Castle in Milan are especially popular among tourists.
So, the most popular hotels near the Sforzesco Castle are: UNA Hotel Cusan (distance to the castle 200 m), Style Hotel (distance 300 m), Genius Hotel Downtown (350 m) and Brera Apartments in Garibaldi (450 m).
Helpful information
The castle is open from 7:00 to 19:00 in summer and from 7:00 to 18:00 in winter. Admission is free, but visiting the museums requires a fee. They are open from Tuesday to Sunday from 9:00 to 17:30. Closed during religious holidays and on Mondays. One entrance will cost 3 EUR, access for the season - 15 EUR.
The castle is located in the Umberto area. It can be reached by metro, bus or tram.
It is worth noting that the Sforza Castle has an official website: