Where Milan
  • Guides
    • About Milan
    • Shopping
    • Dining
    • Family Guide
    • LGBTIQ
  • Top in Town
  • Book your Stay
  • Shopping
    • Shopping News
    • News from the Outlets
    • Outlets/Factory Stores
    • Department Stores
    • Shopping by District
    • Shopping near Milan
    • Top Luxury Brands
    • Gift Guides
      • For Her
      • For Him
      • Homeware
      • Beauty
  • Dining
    • Food News
    • Dining Out by District
    • Aperitivo
    • Wine Culture
    • Cafes
    • Brunch
  • Sightseeing
    • Museums
    • Duomo / Galleria Area
    • Sempione / Castle Area
    • Brera District
    • Near Leonardo’s Last Supper
    • Near Centrale Train Station
    • Fashion Quad Area
    • Live Webcams
  • Experience
  • Things to do
    • All Events
    • All Exhibitions
    • All Concerts
    • Hot Dates of the Month
    • Annual Events
    • Street Markets
    • Gambling & Casino near Milan
    • SPAs/Beauty
    • Nightlife
  • Photo
  • Video
  • Free Maps
  • Best Hotels
  • Out of Town
    • Less than 50 km from Milan
    • 50-100 km from Milan
    • 50-100 km from Milan
    • Explore Italy
    • www.wheretraveler.com
  • Where Guides (PDF)
  • Leonardo500 in Milan
  • Christmas 2019 in Milan
Top Tips
What to do in Milan: December 2019
Christmas 2019: Panettone Cakes by Italian Fashion Brands
The Best Locations for Dinner and Dance in...
Michelin-Starred Restaurants in Milan 2020
Where to Eat Risotto alla Milanese in Milan
Food and Culture, Museums with Restaurant in Milan
Shop and Eat: the Best All-in-one Spots in...
Outdoor Happy Hour in Milan
A Guide to Sales in Italy: Best Deals,...
Not-to-be-missed Gelaterie in Milan

Where Milan

Banner
  • Guides
    • About Milan
    • Shopping
    • Dining
    • Family Guide
    • LGBTIQ
  • Top in Town
  • Book your Stay
  • Shopping
    • Shopping News
    • News from the Outlets
    • Outlets/Factory Stores
    • Department Stores
    • Shopping by District
    • Shopping near Milan
    • Top Luxury Brands
    • Gift Guides
      • For Her
      • For Him
      • Homeware
      • Beauty
  • Dining
    • Food News
    • Dining Out by District
    • Aperitivo
    • Wine Culture
    • Cafes
    • Brunch
  • Sightseeing
    • Museums
    • Duomo / Galleria Area
    • Sempione / Castle Area
    • Brera District
    • Near Leonardo’s Last Supper
    • Near Centrale Train Station
    • Fashion Quad Area
    • Live Webcams
  • Experience
  • Things to do
    • All Events
    • All Exhibitions
    • All Concerts
    • Hot Dates of the Month
    • Annual Events
    • Street Markets
    • Gambling & Casino near Milan
    • SPAs/Beauty
    • Nightlife
  • Photo
  • Video
  • Free Maps
  • Best Hotels
  • Out of Town
    • Less than 50 km from Milan
    • 50-100 km from Milan
    • 50-100 km from Milan
    • Explore Italy
    • www.wheretraveler.com
  • Where Guides (PDF)
  • Leonardo500 in Milan
  • Christmas 2019 in Milan

10 Things You Didn’t Know About the Sforza Castle

by Web Editor 1 March 201912 April 2019
written by Web Editor 1 March 201912 April 2019
A panoramic view of the Sforza Castle, photo credits (c) Milano Panoramica
A panoramic view of the Sforza Castle, photo credits (c) Milano Panoramica

It is widely considered one of the landmarks and most known symbols of Milan, though the Sforza Castle features interesting stories and details that are unknown to most of the tourists and locals alike. The art historian Stefano Zuffi has rounded up some of the most interesting curiosities for Where Milan.

1. Leonardo and the Castle

The Sforza Castle is the place where Leonardo da Vinci spent his golden years as an artist. As you explore its magnificent fifteenth-century rooms, you’ll note that his genius remains very much alive here.

2. The masterpieces

It was here that he portrayed figures from the court in works such as the Portrait of a Musician, Lady with an Ermine and La Belle Ferronière; he frescoed the magical Sala delle Asse, organized banquets and performances, designed extensions to the Castle (which were never built), presented inventions worthy of his genius and took part in who knows how many conversations on art, mathematics, and nature.

3. Its appearance

Construction of this imposing, military-like, square building which measures some 200 meters on each side began in 1450. The Castle features a moat, three courtyards and four imposing towers at the corners.

4. The castle during the Renaissance

Unfortunately, following the fall of the Sforza duchy at the end of the 15th century, the Castle fell into decline under the foreign rulers of the city, who turned it into nothing more than common military barracks. It even risked being completely demolished on more than one occasion.

5. The 19th-century splendour

Fortunately, at the end of the 19th century, thanks to the architect Luca Beltrami, the Sforza Castle was completely restored to its former glory, with the renovation of the surviving parts and the reconstruction of those missing, so visitors today can explore a magnificent complex replete with art, history and culture.

6. What can you visit at the castle?

You can visit the museum which is organized into several different sections, or simply enjoy a stroll through the courtyards of the large gardens behind the castle. If you have time to spare, we suggest a walk along the battlements that run the length of the walls, offering a wealth of marvelous views.

7. What are the works on display?

The finest art collections belonging to the City of Milan are on display here in the Castle, where you can admire a splendid array of furnishings, musical instruments, tapestries, ceramics, ancient weapons, coins, and above all, paintings and sculptures, including the world-famous Rondanini Pietà by Michelangelo.

8. The most impressive spots

One of the most delightful spaces in the museum is the Ducal Court, home to the dukes of the Sforza family since 1466. Especially impressive features of the Court include the loggia, the Elephant Portico, the Ducal Chapel and, above all, the marvelous frescoes painted in theSala delle Asse, the most thrilling of the historical settings in the Castle.

9. A secret spot: the Sala delle Asse

Leonardo da Vinci executed the frescoes in the Sala delle Asse by order of Ludovico il Moro, transforming the room to appear like a pergola. He painted sixteen mulberry trees intertwined with knotted ropes, celebratory plaques and coats of arms of the Sforza family. Traces of the artist’s drawings of roots burrowing into the rocks are still visible on one of the walls.

10. The treasures of the Trivulziana Gallery

Lastly, among the ancient manuscripts of the Trivulziana Library, you’ll have the chance to admire the Codex Trivulzianus, a priceless notebook featuring notes and drawings by Leonardo.

Castello SforzescoLeonardo ExperienceLeonardo500
0 comment
0
FacebookTwitterGoogle +Pinterest
Web Editor

This content is entirely written by the staff editors of Where Milan. If you want to learn more about us, go to the About page.

You may also like

You Are Leo, Tour of the Milan of...

17 August 2019

5xLeonardo, All-in-One Ticket for 5 Milanese Museums

19 April 2019

5 Things You Didn’t Know About Piazza della...

15 April 2019

Innovation at Castello Sforzesco’s Museum of Decorative Arts

27 June 2017

Expo Revolutions: 2. Innovations at the Sforza Castle

6 May 2015

Milan City Tour by Double-Decker Bus

1 February 2014

Search Box

Book your stay

Booking.com

Book your top experience!

banner wow milan

New!

  • Festive Shopping 2019 at Franciacorta Outlet Village 5 December 2019

Top Shopping Experience

banner 2

banner 2

banner 3

Rolex Retailer Locator

rolex retailers banner

Utilities

Promotion Image

Live Webcam Views

Promotion Image
Promotion Image

Follow us!

Facebook Twitter Instagram

Where Milan

  • About
  • Distribution
  • Avertise
  • Contact
  • Print Edition – Archive
  • Where Guides – Download

Proedi Network

www.proedicomunicazione.it
whereitalia.com/milan
whereitalia.com/venice
whereitalia.com/florence
whereitalia.com
www.welcometomilano.it
www.sabelitalia.com
www.museomilano.it
www.milanolovesyou.com
www.proedieditore.it

milan.whereitalia.com

Powered by Proedi
P.I. 07749100157 - www.proedi.it
REG. Trib. Milano no. 453, 19 July 2010, iscritto al roc no. 2455
Direttore responsabile: Andrea Jarach
Find your hard copy of Where Milan in the city's top hotels.
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • Email

© 2018 - www.wheremilan.com. All Rights Reserved. Designed by Proedi


Back To Top