The name of the architect who created this grandiose complex is unknown. But the beginning of construction, in all likelihood, dates back to 1368, when Galeazzo II Visconti ordered the erection of a castle here next to the city walls, not far from the Jovia gate. The original castle was a quadrangular building with a large courtyard and internal buildings.
Throughout its existence, this castle has experienced many sorrows and joys: Bernabo Visconti was imprisoned here in 1385, and the founder of the famous Milanese dynasty, Filippo Maria, was born here in 1392. Visconti soon settled in the castle. The last of them, Filippo Maria, summoned the great architect Brunelleschi to Milan to decorate his home.
During the riots that followed the death of Filippo Maria, the authorities of the newborn Ambrosian Republic ordered the destruction of the fortress, but fortunately, the order was only partially implemented. The new Signor of the city, Francesco Sforza, did not take into account all the agreements signed with the Milanese in 1450 regarding the destruction of the Visconti castle: on the contrary, he instructed the architect Giovanni da Milano to restore what had been destroyed earlier. This architect was replaced by Filaret, according to whose design the middle tower was built; he was followed by Gadio da Cremona, at which work quickly advanced, and finally, in the year of Francesco Sforza's death (1466), the castle was almost complete.
Simultaneously with the construction work, the interior decoration of the castle was also carried out. Gradually, he became one of the most luxurious castles in all of northern Italy. It reached its highest splendor under Ludovico il Moro, who summoned Bramante and Leonardo for architectural work. Soon, two magnificent weddings took place at the castle: the first between Gian Galeazzo and Isabella d'Aragona in December 1488,
The second - between Ludovico and Beatrice d'Este in January 1491.
The beauty and splendor of this castle did not help it withstand the invasion of the French in 1499: without any resistance, the castle surrendered to the enemy. Then in 1513 it was conquered by Massimiliano Sforza, but not for long: being stopped by the French army of Francisco I, Massimiliano Sforza was forced to retreat and leave the castle. In 1525, the castle was again besieged due to the presence of Duke Francesco II Sforza. Powerful fortification works, started in 1565 by Vincenzo Sereni, strengthened the castle.
By the end of the century, the fortress was surrounded by six ramparts in the shape of a star. Later a defensive moat was dug and six separate ravelins were built. Thus, the entire fortress acquired the shape of a huge twelve-pointed star. Although no great historical events took place here in the future, nevertheless, the history of the castle itself is quite rich in incidents. Conquered in 1733 by Carlo Emanuele III di Savoia, the castle then fell into the hands of the Spaniards; in 1796 the French became its owners, then the Austrians, who left the castle on June 17, 1800. Napoleon ordered the immediate destruction of the fortress: the citadel was demolished, and thus the castle took its original form.
14 years later, the castle became an Austrian barracks again, and from here, during the famous uprising of 1848, Radetzky ordered to fire the city with cannons. One of the Austrian marshals gave the order to destroy the four corner towers;
By 1880 the fortress had reached such a state that they began to seriously think about its complete demolition. Fortunately, the Historical Society of Lombardy has forbidden to touch the famous old castle without special permission.
After the approval of the project for the complete restoration of the castle (by Luca Beltrami), construction work began in 1893. Unfortunately, like most of Milan's monuments, the castle suffered from the August 1943 bombing raids. The extensive damage was repaired during the restoration work in the following years.
Castello Sforzesco can be called the heart of Milan not only because of the topographic location of the castle, but also because of the importance that it has acquired from the inhabitants of the city. The whole structure is majestic and solemn. The façade, in the center of which the tower of Filareta rises, is eclipsed on the sides by two cylindrical crenellated towers with a rusticated fort, decorated with shields with the coat of arms of Visconti and Sforza. The same motives are repeated on the sides and on the rear façade. There is also a row of large Gothic windows with brick cornices to decorate the brickwork of the walls. The side towers, called Falconiera and Castellana or del Tesoro, in the form of a square with window openings, are also made of fired bricks. On the right, there is the Ludovico il Moro bridge, thrown over a wide moat and ending in a loggia with architraves. This loggia, made by Bramante, overlooks the rooms of Ludovico il Moro. The drawbridge over the moats leads to the courtyard. A visit to this castle leaves a lasting impression after itself, and not only because there are wonderful works of art.
Towers of Filaret - When the Florentine architect Antonio Pietro Averulino, also called Filaret, was called in 1452 by the Milanese court of Sforza, the castle was already badly damaged and was about to be destroyed. Filaret, who decided to take on the most difficult task of restoring the castle, proposed to build a tower in the middle of the facade.
The tower was built, however, after the completion of construction work on June 23, 1521, the gunpowder stored under the tower exploded and completely destroyed it. At the end of the last century, the architect Luca Beltrami presented a project for the complete restoration of the tower, and construction work soon began. Moreover, it was supposed to preserve the original shape of the tower, built by Filaret. Thus, the tower was erected a second time on September 24, 1904. This quadrangular tower is 70 meters high and has different entrance levels. The bas-relief above the gate (sculptor Secchi) depicts King Umberto I and is made to commemorate his assassination. Directly below the first serrated ornament stands a statue of Sauvt 'Ambrogio between two large coats of arms, and a tower clock above. On the sides of the tower there are massive brick walls, decorated with windows separated by columns. This wall is an example of the architectural style of the Restoration era. This style is characterized by the fact that it imitates ancient buildings. The tower organically fits into the entire architectural ensemble, consisting of walls and two cylindrical side towers, and dominates the entire surrounding area.
Drawbridge and Piazza d'Armi - Crossing the drawbridge and passing under the gates of the Filareta tower, you find yourself in a large courtyard called Piazza d'Armi. Today it looks like a peaceful and well-tended garden, but at one time the Sforza soldiers were trained here. Modern buildings built into the walls house the Civici Museums, the Library d'Arte and the delle Stampe Bertarelli collection. Today, you can still see some elements left over from ancient buildings: part of the courtyard in the Renaissance style, traces of decoration, pieces of frescoes, etc.
Opposite the Filareta tower, in 1729, one of the Visconti ordered a monument to be erected in honor of San Giovanni Nepomucheno, the patron saint of bridges. The monument was created by the sculptor Giovanni Dugnani. Behind the defensive moat, the tower of Bona di Savoia rises, which was ordered to be built by the widow of Galeazzo Sforza in 1477, fearing the insidious machinations of Ludovico il Moro.
Museum of Castello - The Museum of Castello is the pride of not only the castle itself, but the whole city. The castle's art collection was systematized and exhibited in rooms in the 1950s by architects Rogers Nathan, Barbiano di Belgioioso and Peresutti.
Among the many masterpieces in the museum, the most famous is Michelangelo's last work, on which he worked until his death. This is a sculpture by Pieta Rondanini. It is clearly not finished, as can be seen from the part of the hand hanging in the void. This sculpture was conceived by the master differently from the rest of Pieta. The difference is observed in the position of Christ and even in the features of his face. Pieta stands on a gravestone stele from the late Roman era. The sculpture was acquired in 1952 by the City Council from the private collection of the Marquises of Rondanini. Medieval elements and forms are used by the great sculptor to express the idea of \u200b\u200bthe spirit and make this sculpture very different from other Renaissance works of art. The two emaciated figures merged almost into one in a last desperate embrace.
Other exhibits include the tombstone of Bernabo Visconti, made in 1357 by the sculptor Bonino da Campione. This sculpture stands out for its special plasticity, which the Lugansk master gave to the figures of a miner and a horseman. Both the horse and the rider are intimidated by the power and strength they contain. This monument was formerly in the crypt of the Church of San Giovanni in Conca.
One of the following rooms contains three of the most important frescoes of the Lombard School. The most beautiful of them tells the story of Griselda, one of the heroines of Boccaccio's short stories. The frescoes brought from Castello di Roccabianca (between Parma and Fidenza) were painted between 1446 and 1460. by an unknown artist from the school of Niccolò da Varallo. The painting, painted mainly in various shades of green, was made for the Condottiere Visconti Pierre Maria Rossi, a friend of Lorenzo the Magnificent and Signor of the city of Parma, in honor of the beloved woman, the beautiful Bianca Pellegrino d'Arluno. The frescoes, consisting of 24 scenes, are painted in the style of international gothic: here reality is examined with attentive curiosity, every detail in it is projected into the surreal world. 
Corte Ducale and Corte della Rocchetta - Through a door with a large coat of arms of the Sforza family, you can enter the Ducal Court, where the buildings of the Castello museums are located. Crossing the vestibule, located in front of the entrance to the courtyard, one can admire the sculptures and fresco detail of the late 15th century by an unknown Lombard master. It depicts the Crucifixion among the Saints and Ambrosio da Longignano: the latter was the manager, first at Galeazzo Maria Sforza and then at Bona di Savoia. The entire fresco is kept in the museum's storerooms.
The courtyard of Corte Ducale is surrounded on three sides by buildings with two rows of lancet windows framed by fired brick cornices. The courtyard is designed in the style of Italian gardens with architectural additions nestled among the turf.
In moments of particular danger, the Sforza usually took refuge in Rocchetta, since this place was considered the most reliable. Also in Cortile della Rocchetta there are palaces with two rows of lancet windows, but the structures seem lighter thanks to the arched spans opening below.
The arch gallery was authored by three architects:
Florentine Benedetto Ferini, who built the central part,
Filarete - the author of the arcade facade
and Bernardino da Corte, who performed the left arcade, which however was completed by Bramante.
The material is taken from here:
Illustrations are collected online.
Continuing our conversation about the similarities and differences between two countries that are so unlike - like ice and flame - countries like Russia and Italy, one cannot fail to mention the famous Castello Sforzesco in Milan and Moscow Kremlinb.
And here they are: the snow-covered Moscow Kremlin and the Sforza Castle (Castello Sforzesco) looking into the blue sky
Trinity Tower and the main entrance to the Sforza Castle
It turns out that the look Sforza Castle (as, by the way, the Scaliger castle in Verona) was used in the construction of the Moscow Kremlin as a model. In the second half of the 15th century, the Kremlin was just being rebuilt: Italian architects were invited to Moscow, who gave the "heart of Russia" its modern look.
Spasskaya Tower and the main entrance to the Sforza Castle
The central tower of Milan's castle (torre del Filarete, Filarete Tower) was designed by Antonio di Pietro Averlino (or Averulino, nicknamed Filarete). And Antonio Filarete's companion in Milan for a long time was Aristotele Fioravanti, the author of the Moscow Kremlin's Assumption Cathedral. Sophia Palaeologus, the wife of Ivan III, then personally asked the Duke of Milan Galeazzo Maria Sforza and the wife of Aristotle to release this talented vassal and husband to distant Russia.
Most of the towers Moscow Kremlin, as well as the Faceted Chamber, were built by the compatriots of Aristotle Fioravanti (who, by the way, who died in Moscow, did not achieve, despite numerous requests, permission to return to his homeland) - Italian architects Pietro Antonio Solari and Marco Ruffo (Marco Ruffo), who also worked in Milan before. Marko Ruffo - in Russia referred to as Mark Fryazin (that is, a foreigner) - built the Moskvoretskaya, Spasskaya and Nikolskaya towers of the Moscow Kremlin, while Pietro Antonio Solari - Konstantino-Eleninskaya, Borovitskaya, Arsenalnaya. Needless to say, these natives of Italy were never destined to return to their homeland: still, would the king be scattered with such masters! In addition to the listed names, the Moscow Kremlin was erected by many more architects discharged from Italy ...
Pay attention to the battlements of the walls of the Moscow Kremlin: did you know that these are the so-called battlements of Ghibellines? As many as 3 centuries - from XII to XV - Italy was torn apart by the war between the followers of the Pope (Guelphs) and the supporters of the German Emperor (Ghibellines). The castles of the Guelphs and Ghibellines differed in the shape of the teeth (merlons) on the fortress walls: the teeth in the form of a swallow's tail (resembling the flapping of the wings of an eagle on the imperial coat of arms) meant that the castle belonged to the Ghibellines, and square or rectangular teeth, similar in shape to the Pope's headdress, preferred Guelphs. (It is believed that this shape of the teeth depicts the flapping of the wings of an eagle, the former imperial coat of arms).
Italian architects wisely judged that in Orthodox Russia "papal" symbols would look out of place, and therefore now the walls of the Moscow Kremlin are decorated with teeth in the form of a swallow's nest, which later became so fond of Russian architects.
Similar, don't they?
Russian Gzhel and Italian ceramics Deruta - the history of the glorious pottery is going head-to-head.
Gzhel- this is one of the largest pottery crafts not only in the Moscow region, but throughout Russia. The first chronicle mentions of these lands date back to the time of the reign of Ivan Kalita (XIII century). From the clays mined here, it was possible to make everything, from porcelain to bricks. Mikhail Lomonosov also admired the unusual properties of local clays: “... There is hardly a land that is the purest and without admixture anywhere in the world, which chemists call a virgin, except between the clays used for porcelain, such is our Gzhel ..., which I have never seen more excellent whiteness ... "
Ceramic production started in Take it(Umbria region) is officially documented in the archives of the Cathedral of Perugia in the 13th century, although some historians believe that in fact the first products began to be made at least a century earlier.
Yes, and they paint dishes, both in Italy and in Russia, on similar topics: mythological and fairy-tale characters, hunting scenes, images of animals, birds and flowers, geometric patterns.
Both in Russia and in Italy in the 18th century, the production of famous painted ceramics was declining: gradual in Russia, and sharp in Italy.
And if at the beginning of the 18th century, the glory of one of the largest districts for (manual!) Production of artistic majolica with bizarre modeling and multicolored painting comes to Gzhel, then by the end of the century, with the beginning of the import of cheap English porcelain with printed (!) former popularity. Gzhel craftsmen begin to produce semi-faience, and it gradually replaces majolica. The painting itself is also changing: cobalt is preferred instead of multicolored patterns. By the middle of the 19th century, the Gzhel factories switched to the production of earthenware, and so successfully that the products were exported, and the products of some factories compete with such "giants" as Meissen porcelain. By the end of the 19th century, with the general industrialization and the transition to mass industrial production, the popularity of the factory, but in many respects remained handicraft, Gzhel was falling.
So in Italy, having gone through the heyday of the Renaissance, which also influenced ceramic production in Derut, by the second half of the 18th century, only 5 factories remain in Derut: in order to survive, they completely switch to the production of dishes and kitchen utensils, leaving masterpieces in the past that were still decorate the floor in the church of St. Francis (S. Francesco), the sanctuary of Madonna dei Bagni.
Only in Italy colored ceramics will be less forgotten: here they furnished us. From the very beginning of the 20th century, thanks to the ceramics painting school and the ceramics museum, founded by the lawyer Francesco Briganti, Deruta products have become popular again. Now in Derut there are more than two hundred factories producing 32% of Italian ceramics.
In Russia, folk craft began to slowly revive only after the Second World War, thanks to the efforts of A.B. Saltykov and artist Bessarabova. In 70-80 years, the period of restoration of Gzhel begins. The Gzhel Association was created, which became the ceramic center of Russia. Now Gzhel is as recognizable in the world as a symbol of the folk art of Russia, like Pavloposad shawls, Khokhloma products and the famous nesting dolls.
It is about matryoshkas - in Russia and in the world - that will be discussed next time.
The Sforza Castle is freely spread over the picturesque expanses of Sempione Park, in the very center of Milan. Currently, this giant structure is known all over the world. Many Russian tourists, upon their first acquaintance with it, notice its striking resemblance to the Moscow Kremlin. And this is not surprising, because the project was created by famous architects from Milan, and they naturally made the drawings, taking the Sforza castle as a basis. Take a close look at the shape of the towers and the edging of the walls in the form of a crown, and you will definitely notice this similarity.
The castle was intended for the residence of the dukes from the famous Sforza dynasty and for several centuries it was a symbol of the ducal power. It must be said that for centuries the Milanese have considered it an emblem of tyranny and foreign domination. Many times over the long history, local residents have tried to attack and demolish this hated building. And only with the unification of Italy, becoming the center of culture, the castle became dear to the Milanese as a real symbol of the city. At the beginning of the twentieth century, it became a historical monument and a famous landmark in Italy, attracting millions of tourists from all over the world.
If you recall its history a little, then the Filarete Tower was built according to the project of the famous Italian architect Antonio Filarete. This is a multi-tiered majestic building, the height of which reaches about 70 meters. It is decorated with a bas-relief depicting King Umberto; nearby you can see the old clock "The Sun of Justice" and other heraldic frescoes. The towers located on the sides of the Filarete tower are called Falconier and Castellana. They were decorated with battle shields with the generic coats of arms of the ancient families of Visconti and Sforza.
Photo: Alessandro Franceschi / Wikimedia Commons
A bridge was built over the deep moat, connecting all structures with the loggia, where the chambers of Lodovico Moro were located. It must be said that the laying of the first stone at the base of the foundation took place in the second half of the 13th century, under the reign of Duke Gian Galeazzo II Visconti. He was known for his extravagance far beyond the borders of Milan, and ordered the purchase of luxurious furniture, and the treasury was empty after spending on finishing the interior chambers. But then a Ballroom appeared, where foreign ambassadors and famous guests of the city were often received. After a short time, the castle was recognized by contemporaries as the most magnificent in the north of Italy. Significant and luxurious interior decoration took place during the reign of Duke Lodovico Moro.
It was at his behest that the outstanding masters of that era, da Vinci and Bramante, were invited to Milan. In these ancient walls, immortal masterpieces of painting were created: "The Lady with an Ermine", where the artist portrayed the duke's mistress Cecilia Gallerani, and "Beautiful Ferroniera", when Lucrezia Crivelli posed for the master. Unfortunately, the frescoes on the ceiling, which belonged to da Vinci's hand, have been completely lost. You can learn about them only by leafing through the documents that have turned yellow from time to time in the archives. During the so-called Italian wars, Lodovico Moro left Milan, and the king of France, Louis XII, who proclaimed himself Duke of Milan, settled in the castle.
Photo: RoseHAN / Wikimedia Commons After Francis became his successor, the palace gradually began to fall into desolation, and then completely became an ordinary military fortress. After lightning hit the Filarete tower and a gunpowder warehouse exploded in it, it was dismantled. It must be said that the Sforza castle remained a fortress even during the capture of the city by the Spaniards, and the governor of Spain Ferrante Gonzaga settled here.
The castle was surrounded by fortifications and huge ramparts. Archival documents indicate that there was a military hospital, a tavern, food depots and small churches for the military, which housed more than two thousand people here. The halls that were painted by da Vinci and Bramante were turned into auxiliary structures by the command of the fortress.
Photo: Naval S / flickr.com The castle, especially in the distance, looks majestic and solemn. This is a Gothic style that gained great popularity in the Middle Ages. The walls are made of baked bricks, and the window openings have rather impressive brick cornices. Without any exaggeration, its ancient history is full of tragic events. He witnessed revolution and popular revolts, and also survived more than one ruling dynasty. Over the past seven centuries, the Sforza Castle has been completely restored several times. But in 1799 the castle faced the sad fate of the Parisian Bastille.
Napoleon's troops entered Milan and he was handed a request from the active part of the townspeople that the building should be destroyed, as a memory of the tyranny of the rule of the dukes. But the vain emperor ordered to break up the square in front of the palace, to restore part of the castle, where he placed his army. The buildings erected by the Spaniards were demolished. In 1815 the Austrians entered the city and made Milan the capital of Lombardy and Venice.
Photo: IgorSaveliev / pixabay.com In 1833, the government drew attention to the complex as a historical value and decided to carry out a large-scale restoration of this masterpiece of medieval architecture. The work was supervised by the local talented architect Luca Beltrami. He proposed to restore the details of the palace according to the preserved historical sources. It must be said that it was an expensive undertaking, but many Italians took part in collecting donations.
All kinds of exhibitions were held, lotteries were arranged and in the end 4,000,300 lire was collected. The restoration of the complex took two years. The revolution of 1848, when the inhabitants of Milan unanimously entered the struggle for independence from Austria, also negatively affected the buildings. In the spring of 1900, two public museums were opened here: an archaeological museum and an art museum. At the same time, tours of the halls were allowed.
Photo: dimitrisvetsikas1969 / pixabay.com In 1943 it was bombed from the air and many buildings were seriously damaged. A few years later, it underwent a major renovation and now the Sforza Castle or Castello Sforzesco is the center of art. In addition to excursions to the luxurious halls of the castle, visit the Elephant Portico. Museum lovers can choose to visit one of the many museums. A single ticket can be purchased for museums. In one of the halls there is a gallery, where more than 230 paintings by famous Italian painters from different eras are exhibited for public viewing.
The unfinished statue of Pieta Rondanini, a masterpiece of the genius Michelangelo, is of great interest to visitors. And next to it there are various types of musical instruments that Italians once played and composed their magnificent works. Note that the entrance to museums under 18 is free, the rest of the prices can be found on the official website of this complex.
- Opening hours: the castle is open daily from 7 am to 7.30 pm.
- Address: Piazza Castello, 20121 Milano MI, Italy.
But that's not all. As we noted earlier, the Sforza Castle is surrounded by the cozy Sempione Park, where you can enjoy a morning walk or jog. This park became famous for the famous Arch of Peace, created in the 19th century on the initiative of Napoleon. According to legend, if you draw a straight line from the Arch of Peace in Milan, it will pass through the Parisian Arc de Triomphe and the Carrusel Arch. Those who visit Milan not for the first time often come for a walk in the park, since the entrance is free and it is quite pleasant to be here. In our next article, we will tell you where you will find out its history of creation, the opening hours of ticket offices and can see the upcoming poster.
The Sforza Castle, which, along with the adjacent park area, is a kind of visiting card of Milan, is not only a striking landmark of the city, but also the former government residence of the Visconti family.
Construction history
The history of Sforzesco Castle dates back to the middle of the 14th century. The construction was preceded by some events in the political life of Milan, namely coming to power in the XIII century of a representative of the Visconti family - Archbishop Ottone Visconti. By the XIV century, the Visconti family managed to subjugate many cities in northern Italy.
A descendant of the archbishop, Galeazzo Visconti, decided to build a castle for himself and his family. Initially the complex was conceived not only as a personal property, but also as a defensive fortressto exclude any attempt to enter the duke's chambers. The castle was built on a site that at that time was considered a suburb of Milan, so it was surrounded by a high fortress wall.
But by the middle of the XIV century, the Duke of Visconti began to lose his political positions, and the Ambrosian Republic was established in Milan. The townspeople, tired of the tyranny of the duke, partially destroyed the castle, causing massive damage to him.
A descendant of the duke, Francesco Sforza (who was the son-in-law of the last representative of the male line of Visconti), having received the title of duke from the Milanese Senate in 1450, decides to restore the former ducal residence. As conceived by Sforza, the castle was 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, in 1473 the Corte Dukkale chapel (duke's chapel) was built. At the end of the 15th century, one of the heirs of the duke - Louis Sforza - ordered to remake the castle, adding grace and splendor to it.
For this, the best masters of their era were summoned, including Leonardo da Vinci. It was here that his famous canvases were created - "The Lady with the Ermine" (beloved of Duke Cecilia Gallerani), "The Beautiful Ferroniera" (Lucrezia Crivelli). There were also Leonardo's magnificent ceiling frescoes, but little is left of them today.
After the death of Louis Sforza, the castle gradually began to decline. In 1521, the tower of Filaret was struck by lightning, and it 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 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; you can still see marks and traces of bullets in some places.
Napoleon's troops were also stationed here... And the Emperor himself loved to visit this castle. Despite the militant townspeople who demanded the destruction of the bastion, Napoleon ordered to demolish the fortifications and restore part of the castle in order to return it to its former beauty.
In 1833, the city administration decided to restore the castle as a city landmark. The restoration was carried out under the guidance of the Milanese master Luca Beltrami. And after the creation of the independent Italian state in 1861, Castello Sforzesco was decided not only to restore, but also to turn it into one of the main architectural symbols of the city.
The castle 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 Sforza Castle:
Description of the attraction and photos
To get to the central courtyard of the castle, you had to pass the main gate through the Filaret tower - a multi-tiered building, the height of which reaches 71 meters.
The tower is decorated with heraldic frescoes, a bas-relief of King Umberto the First, the second tier is decorated with the ancient clock "The Sun of Justice". They remain as a memory of the first Duke of Visconti, who laid the first stones in the foundation of Castello Sforzesco.
Around the castle on the site of the former parade ground, Sempione Park was laid out... The large square Piazza delle Armi, where military exercises were previously held, has now become a meeting place for young people on vacation.
Many people who have visited Milan say that the castle looks very much like the Moscow Kremlin because of the swallow's nest battlements that adorn the towers. There is a reasonable explanation for this: Milanese architects took part in the construction of the Kremlin, who wished 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 on the premises of the castle.
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 make up the decoration of the collection - those who wish can get acquainted with the works of Giovanni Bellini, Michelangelo Buonarotti, Mantegna.
Besides, the city library operates under the roof of the castle, which contains unique materials on the history of Milan.
Check out and - perhaps these terminals will seem to you the best for traveling to the city.
Lake Como is located near Milan. We recommend that you visit this, and find out what to do there from our review.
And here it is told and shown what you can see near Milan.
Hello friends. Our today's hero has witnessed revolutions and uprisings, the ups and downs of not a single dynasty. Still would. After all, the Sforza Castle has lived for more than seven centuries. And he will probably remind you of the Kremlin, because it was his appearance that Italian architects took as a basis for the construction of the main Moscow landmark.
Italy. Lombardy region. City . Castello Sforzesco - Castello Sforzesco or simply: Sforza Castle.
A beautiful place with a park. It is pleasant to walk in Sempione Park, especially in the morning. The castle houses expositions of 7 museums, which will take you about 2 hours to see.
History
Once the Milanese castle, which we now know as the Sforza Castle, was built and served as the seat of the ruling dynasty of Milan - the dukes of Visconti. By the way, the famous Italian director Luchino Visconti is a descendant of this aristocratic family.
But this first castle was partly destroyed by a riot. The Visconti family was replaced by the Sforza.
In the 15th century, Francesco Sforza rebuilt the castle, giving it more splendor and beauty. It is noteworthy that Leonardo da Vinci himself was involved in its decoration.
In general, every ruler who lived here tried to have a hand in decorating the castle. So, for example, Galeazzo Sforza, famous for extravagance, acquired expensive furniture and did not spare the treasury for a luxurious finish.
Under him, a Ballroom appeared in the palace, where receptions were held.
As soon as the Italian wars began, Ludovico Sforza left Milan, and King Louis XII of France settled under the roof of the castle.
After him, the Milan castle could not boast of a good condition. And in 1521 what happened: lightning struck the tower of Filaret. And since there was a warehouse where stocks of gunpowder were stored, the tower exploded.
In 1799, Castello almost suffered the fate of the Bastille. Then Napoleon was in the city. He was handed a petition that the building should be destroyed. But instead, the vain emperor ordered to break up the square in front of him.
By the middle of the 19th century, the building was restored, and the very exploded tower was rebuilt.
Modern life
Now a whole group of museums is comfortably located here. You can get through them with a single ticket.
Unfortunately, nothing remains of Leonardo da Vinci's frescoes.
- But the ballroom and the Elephant's Portico have survived to us in good condition.
- Also here you can see the unfinished sculpture by Michelangelo "Pietu Rondanini".
- There is also a small art gallery, about 230 works of great Italian masters, including works by Bellini and F. Lippi.
- There is also a collection of musical instruments.
- The museum rooms can be accessed from the Rochetta courtyard, which in turn is connected to the main entrance by the courtyard.
The windows of the castle overlook the Sempione Park.
It is famous for the Arch of Peace, an architectural monument of the 19th century.
According to Napoleon's idea, it was supposed to become a triumphal arch and, at the same time, 14 gates of Milan.
It is believed that this arch is in a straight line with the Arc de Triomphe of Paris and the Carrousel arch.
Many tourists do not go inside the castle, limiting themselves to a walk in the park. The park is very pleasant especially in the morning.
Park opening hours
- From 7:00 to 19:00 in summer
- From 7:00 to 18:00 in winter
- The entrance to the park is free.
Castle Museums
- Open every day from Tuesday to Sunday.
- Monday is a day off. The lock is closed.
- Opening hours: from 9:00 to 17:30
How much is
- A standard ticket allowing entry to all exhibitions of museums inside the castle is 5 euros.
- Reduced ticket 3 euros.
- Admission to the castle and its museums is free every Friday afternoon.
Music concerts are held in the castle.
Find out more on the official website: www.milanocastello.it
Where to stay in Milan
Now many housing options in Milan have appeared on the service AirBnb... We have written how to use this service. If you do not find an available hotel room, then look for accommodation through this booking site.
We stayed at hotel Siena Milan, it is a 10-minute walk from the main railway station. Decent rooms, Recommended.
We offer good options for hotels and hostels in the center of Milan
How to get there
- By metro, take the MM1 Cairoli line or the MM2 Cadorna-Lanza line.
- By bus No. 37, 50, 58
- Another option by tram number 2, 4, 12, 14
Castle on the map
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