Castle Sforzesco

The first fortress on this site was built in 1368. Years later it was enlarged and transformed into a magnificent palace, which was later practically completely destroyed in the Golden Ambrosian Republic.

The Sforza family rebuilt the castle and turned it into one of the most magnificent residences in Italy. Years later, the castle was used again as a fortification under Spanish and Austrian rule.

Napoleon ordered the castle's destruction in 1800 and a year later the Spanish fortresses and towers were destroyed.

During the second half of the nineteenth century, the population was torn between keeping the Castle or demolishing it to build a residential area. However, the castle remained and architect Luca Beltrami was instructed to renovate the castle, restoring it to the way it was when the Sforza family dwelt in it. The restoration was completed in 1905 and the central tower (Torre Filarete) and Parco Sempione were inaugurated. The park was built on the old parade ground.

During World War II, the castle was severely damaged.

At the end of the twentieth century, Castle Square was built with a fountain in the center. However, in the sixties it was demolished when the Milan Metro was built. In 2005, the restoration of the Cortile della Ghirlanda and the castle's halls was completed.

The castle has several museums:

Museum of Ancient Art: This museum holds great value Sforza family frescoes and sculptures from various eras such as Antiquity, the Middle Ages, and the Renaissance. Museum highlights include the Rondanini Pietà, Michelangelo's last and unfinished work.

Pinacoteca del Castello Sforzesco: This art collection is made up of more than 1,500 works of art created between the thirteenth and eighteenth centuries.

Musical Instrument Museum: This museum houses curious musical instruments from around the world.

Egyptian Museum: The Egyptian Museum houses a number of objects from Egypt, including statues, mummies, sarcophaguses, and death masks.

Archaeological Museum of Milan: This museum contains objects and items from the major cultures that lived in the land from the Neolithic to the Roman times.

Applied Arts Collection: The museum shows the work of pottery makers, sculptors, upholstery, and weavers.

Museum of Antique Furniture and Wood Sculpture: The museum has artifacts dating from the 15th to the 20th centuries. The furniture shown in the different rooms represents several periods.

The castle also has other exhibitions, such as: Museum Rondanini, Collection of Medals and Numistica, "Sala delle Asse" by Leonardo da Vinci, collection of drawings and engraving collection "Achille Bertarelli".

A castle full of art

Some of the castle's museums are really interesting. Admission includes a visit to all the fortress museums. If you don't want to visit the museums, we recommend exploring the castle's central courtyard, which is open to the public and free to visit.

Business hours:

Castle: Every day from 7am to 7:30pm.

Museum: Tuesday to Sunday, 9am to 5:30pm

Fare:

Castle: free admission.

Museum:

Adult: €10 (US$10.9)

Students and Seniors (over 65): €8 (US$8.7)

First Sunday of the month: €5 (US$5.4)