Sforza Castle in Milan

Castello Sforzesco

The Sforzesco Castle, also known as Castello Sforzesco, is a brick castle located in the center of Milan, Italy. Its origins date back to the second half of the 14th century, when it was built by the Visconti family. The castle, built on a square plan with a courtyard in the center, is surrounded by a wall with battlements and corner towers.

History of the Sforza Castle

The early years

The Sforza Castle was built in the mid-15th century at the behest of the Visconti family, which was ruling Milan at the time. Originally a small fort, it was expanded by the Sforza family, which took control of Milan in 1450. In the following years, the castle was expanded and modernized several times. In 1499, during the Italian Wars, the castle was captured by the French and destroyed.

Renaissance remodeling

Francesco Sforza rebuilt the castle between 1500 and 1550 in the Renaissance style, and it became one of Milan’s most beautiful and important buildings. Over the following years, the castle was expanded and rebuilt many times, and its appearance changed depending on the ruling authorities.

Napoleonic era and restoration

In 1796, Milan was occupied by Napoleon Bonaparte’s troops. The Sforza Castle was converted into barracks, and its appearance changed considerably. After Napoleon’s fall, the castle was turned into a museum and restored. In 1900, the castle was closed to the public due to its poor state of repair.

Castello Sforzesco in the 20th century

After undergoing a painstaking restoration that lasted numerous years, the castle was once again made accessible to the general public in 1905. Following the conclusion of World War II, the castle suffered from significant destruction, yet diligent efforts were made to revive and reopen it to the public. At present, the Sforza Castle is a prominent symbol of historical significance within Milan, ranking among the city’s foremost landmarks and serving as a cherished destination for countless tourists.

Architecture of the castle

External structure

The Sforza Castle in Milan is an impressive castle built of brick. It was built in the mid-15th century on a square plan with a courtyard. A wall with blanks and corner towers surrounds the castle. It also has a dry moat. The castle consists of several buildings connected, each with its function.

Interiors and halls

Sforza Castle is not only a historic building but also a museum. A diverse museum complex has been created in the castle’s chambers, which includes several different establishments. In the museum, you can see collections and major works of art from different eras. It is worth noting the rich frescoes adorning the halls of the castle, which are stunning in their colors and details.

Gardens and courtyards

Milan’s Sforza Castle also has beautiful gardens and courtyards. The gardens have many sculptures and fountains that add to the beauty of the place. Of note is the courtyard of the Filarete Gate, which is one of the most important courtyards of the castle.

Collections and exhibitions

Museums and galleries at Sforza Castle

Castello Sforzesco is not only a historic fortress, but also an important center of culture and art. The castle is home to several museums and art galleries that present rich collections of works of art and objects related to the history of Milan and Lombardy. Here are some of them:

Archaeological Museum (Museo Archeologico)

It is divided into a prehistoric section and an Egyptian section. The Egyptian section features mummies, funerary masks, painted sarcophagi, and small figures of deities such as the goddess Min-Ptah, Osiris, Isis Horo, depicted as a falcon, and Bastet disguised as a cat, among others.

Pinacoteca Castello Sforzesco

A collection of more than 1,500 works created between the 13th and 18th centuries. Among them are paintings by Filippo Lippi, Titian, Giovanni Antonio Canal (Canaletto) or Correggio.

Museum of Musical Instruments (Museo degli Strumenti Musicali)

It presents various types of musical instruments from parts of the world.

Museum of Antique Art (Museo d’Arte Antica)

It houses, among other things, Michelangelo’s last work, the Pieta Rondanini, and numerous frescoes by Bramante and Leonardo da Vinci.

Egyptian Museum (Museo Egizio)

It presents an exhibition of sarcophagi and mummies.

Tickets to the castle and museums

Tickets can be purchased at the venue and on the castle‘s official website, as well as on sites such as Tiqets or GetYourGuide, which offer various ticket options, including tours and city cards. It is worth noting that even for those entitled to a free ticket, it is necessary to book a ticket online. Booking is recommended, especially during peak season.

Consider combining tickets or a city card if you plan to visit other Milanese attractions.

Opening hours of the castle and museums

Milan’s Sforza Castle is open daily.

Entrance to the castle area is possible from 7:00 AM to 7:30 PM.

The castle’s museums are open Tuesday through Sunday from 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM, with the last ticket sold at 4:30 PM and the last admission at 5:00 PM

Museum of Antique Art (Museo d’Arte Antica)

To reach Sforza Castle, it is best to take the M1 red subway line (Cairoli station) or the green line (Lanza or Cadorna). The castle is close to these stations. Buses numbered 50, 57, 58, 61, and 94 or tram lines 1, 2, 4, 12, 14, 19, and 27 can also be reached near the castle.

Curiosities

Here are some interesting facts about the Sforza Castle in Milan:

The Sforza Castle, also known as Castello Sforzesco, is one of the most important monuments in Milan, Italy. When planning a visit to the Sforza Castle, it is worth remembering that a full tour of the castle, including the museums, can take from 2 to 3 hours, or even half a day.
Therefore, it is worth planning enough time for this attraction. If you do not intend to visit the entire castle or enter the museums, but only look at it from the outside and walk through the courtyards, it is worth visiting during the early morning hours and then visiting the Sempione Park behind the castle. There are no tourists then and it is easy to take nice photos!