Sforza Castle – one of Milan’s symbols

History and description

Built in 1386 by order of Galeazzo II Visconti, the castle passed under the rule of the Sforza family in the 15th century, who gave it its current name. It later became a military citadel before undergoing restoration, and today it serves as a cultural center. The castle has a square layout with corner towers, the most prominent being the Filarete Tower, an inner courtyard, numerous frescoed halls, and museum collections. Today, in all its magnificence, it houses several museums, including the Pinacoteca del Castello Sforzesco, with works by Canaletto and Mantegna, and the Biblioteca Trivulziana, which preserves manuscripts by Leonardo da Vinci.

Curiosities

Used as a film set and famous for its many secret passages—one of which is said to lead directly to Milan Cathedral—the castle is closely tied to Leonardo da Vinci. Invited by Ludovico il Moro, whose ghost is still said to wander the halls, Leonardo painted the Sala dell’Asse and designed several fortifications of the castle.

Access

Open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 10:00 am to 5:30 pm, the site can be visited at the cost of €5, with free entry and specific reductions available.

How to reach it

Located near Piazza Castello, the fortress is easily accessible by public transport: metro lines M1 or M2 (Cadorna stop), trams (1, 2, 4), buses (50, 58), or on foot, about a 15‑minute walk from the Cathedral.

A cultural and historical landmark of Lombardy, Sforza Castle is an unmissable stop to fully enjoy the beauty and iconic heritage of Milan.

Photo credits: Lorenzo.yan8 (Wikipedia) - Licensed by CC 4.0