A Complete Guide to Sforza Castle
Few landmarks capture Milan’s history as completely as Castello Sforzesco, commonly known as Sforza Castle. Just a short walk from Piazza del Duomo, this vast red brick fortress has dominated the city for more than 600 years. Over time, it has served as a defensive stronghold, an elegant ducal residence, foreign military barracks, and today one of Milan’s most important cultural centres. Exploring Sforza Castle offers a clear and engaging way to understand how Milan has developed through the centuries.
A Phoenix in Milan, The Story of Sforza Castle
The history of Sforza Castle closely reflects Milan’s own story. Destroyed and rebuilt multiple times, the fortress symbolises the city’s resilience and its long-standing role as a centre of political power and artistic ambition.
Visconti Origins and the Ambrosian Republic
Construction began in 1358, when Galeazzo II Visconti ordered the building of a fortress known as the Castello di Porta Giovia. This early structure was short-lived. After the fall of the Visconti family in 1447, Milan briefly became the Ambrosian Republic, and citizens dismantled the fortress as a rejection of ducal rule. Traces of the Visconti legacy remain, including the famous “biscione” emblem, a serpent devouring a human figure, still visible on the main tower.
The Sforza Renaissance and Ducal Splendour
In 1450, Francesco Sforza seized power and ordered the castle rebuilt. Under his son, Ludovico Sforza, the fortress was transformed into one of the most prestigious Renaissance courts in Europe. Artists and architects such as Bramante and Leonardo da Vinci were invited to work at the castle, turning it from a military structure into a refined symbol of authority and culture.
From Military Barracks to Cultural Landmark
The castle’s function changed again in the early 19th century, when Napoleon Bonaparte converted it into military barracks, draining the moat and removing drawbridges. By the late 1800s, the complex was badly damaged and faced possible demolition. Instead, Milan chose preservation. Architect Luca Beltrami led a major restoration beginning in 1884, saving the castle and transforming it into the museum complex visitors see today.
Architectural Highlights of Sforza Castle
The architecture of Sforza Castle clearly reflects its evolution from medieval fortress to Renaissance residence.
The Filarete Tower
Visitors enter through the Filarete Tower, commissioned in 1452 as a statement of ducal legitimacy. Destroyed by an explosion in 1521, the tower was reconstructed in the early 20th century by Luca Beltrami using historical designs. Today, it stands as one of Milan’s most recognisable landmarks.
Courtyards and Ducal Spaces
Beyond the tower lies the vast Courtyard of Arms, once used for military exercises. Further inside are the Rochetta and the Ducal Courtyard, where Renaissance arcades, ribbed vaults, and decorative frescoes reveal the castle’s residential past. The Portico dell’Elefante, named after its animal fresco, is a notable feature.
Battlements and Hidden Passages
The fortress forms a square measuring approximately 200 metres on each side, reinforced by corner towers and thick walls. Visitors can walk along sections of the battlements for elevated views across the castle and the city. Below ground, the covered Strada Coperta della Ghirlanda allowed soldiers to move discreetly. The Ponticella, attributed to Bramante, once linked private ducal apartments, including the sombre Black Rooms associated with Ludovico il Moro’s mourning for his wife, Beatrice d’Este.
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Get a more visual look at the castle in the video below:
The Museums of Sforza Castle
Today, Sforza Castle houses a group of civic museums that together form one of Milan’s richest cultural collections.
Museum of Ancient Art
Often considered the essential visit within the castle, this museum is home to the Rondanini Pietà, the final and unfinished sculpture by Michelangelo. Displayed in a dedicated space, it offers a powerful and reflective viewing experience.
Pinacoteca (Art Gallery)
Located on the upper floor, the Pinacoteca contains more than 1,500 paintings dating from the 12th to the 18th centuries. Works by Mantegna, Bellini, Tintoretto, Canaletto, and Tiepolo provide an excellent overview of Italian art history.
Decorative Arts, Musical Instruments, and Archaeology
Other museums include the Museum of Decorative Arts, known for its tapestries and craftsmanship, the Museum of Musical Instruments with examples from across the world, and the Archaeological Museum, which displays Egyptian artefacts alongside finds from prehistoric Lombardy. The Furniture Museum offers insight into domestic life from the 15th century onwards.
Leonardo da Vinci and the Sala delle Asse
One of the castle’s most remarkable rooms is the Sala delle Asse, originally used as Ludovico il Moro’s reception chamber. In 1498, Leonardo da Vinci painted the ceiling to resemble a pergola formed by interwoven mulberry trees. The mulberry was a symbolic reference to the duke’s nickname and Milan’s silk industry. Hidden for centuries beneath layers of plaster, the fresco was rediscovered in the 19th century, and recent restorations have revealed additional monochrome drawings that suggest Leonardo envisioned an even more immersive decorative scheme.
Parco Sempione, The Green Space Behind the Castle
Practical Visitor Information
Sforza Castle is easy to reach using Milan’s public transport network. Metro lines M1 and M2 stop at Cairoli Castello and Cadorna FN, while several tram and bus routes also serve the area.
The castle grounds and courtyards are open daily from 7:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. The museums are open Tuesday to Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Entry to the grounds is free, while museum admission requires a ticket. Admission is free on the first and third Tuesday of each month after 2:00 p.m.
Allow at least three to four hours to explore the main museums and courtyards. If time is limited, focus on the Museum of Ancient Art and the Sala delle Asse.
Why Sforza Castle Should Be on Your Milan Itinerary
Sforza Castle is more than a historic site, it is a clear record of Milan’s political ambition, artistic achievement, and ability to adapt over time. From medieval fortifications to Renaissance masterpieces and modern museum spaces, it offers one of the most complete introductions to the city’s heritage. It also fits naturally into a wider sightseeing plan, alongside other highlights featured in this guide to Things to do in Milan, making it an essential stop on any visit to Milan.
