| Sforza Castle | Leonardo da Vinci | Museums of the Castle | Parco Sempione |
Castello Sforzesco
In the 14th Century the huge defense castle was built by Galeazzo Visconti II. The oldest section, called "Porta Giovia, was built from 1360 to 1370 along the medieval city wall. The work was continued by the following generations (Gian Galeazzo and Filippo Maria) so the Castle was completed by walls and 4 towers.
Francesco Sforza, General and husband of Bianca Maria Visconti, daughter of the Duke of Milan, Filippo Maria Visconti, became patron the castle 1450 and began with expansion work.
The architect Filarete constructed a 70 m high clock tower (Torre del Filarete) in the middle of the facade of the main portal. Through the gate you reach the courtyard, which in the past served as a parade ground. On both sides of the courtyard are gates with drawbridges.
The castel is open daily from 7.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. (in winter) and 7.00 a.m. - 7.00 p.m. (in summer), free admission (except for castle museums).
Leonardo da Vinci at the Court of the Milan Duke
Leonardo da Vinci served from 1482 - 1499 at the Castle in Milan under the Duke Ludovico, called “il Moro”. He designed court festivals, and created many of sketches in the in the reign house. In the 17 years of his work for the Duke Leonardo completed important paintings (Last Supper, Virgin of the Rocks), but he left many projects (paintings, sculptures) unfinished.
During this period Leonardo also dealt with the expansion of the system of the Milan’s channels “Navigli” and the construction of locks, and furthermore with the exploration of the human body.
Ludovico il Moro was married with Beatrice d'Este and after their death Ludovico il Moro let decorate the private room "Sala delle Asse" on the ground floor of the Torre Falconiera (Museum of Ancient Art in the ground floor of the Corte Ducale) by Leonardo da Vinci. The ceiling fresco was painted by Leonardo around 1498, deciduous trees with branches, which are interweaved.
During his employment Leonardo painted from 1494-1498 the famous “Last Supper” in the church S. Maria delle Grazie. With his genius Leonardo influenced sustainable Italian painting and art.
Museums in the Sforza Castle
With the invasion of Napoleon in Milan the Sforza Castle was heavily damaged, the troops of Napoleon used the frescoed halls as sleeping rooms and the interior courtyards as stables.
Today the impressive halls of the Sforza Castle are used as art museums:
The ground floor of the Ducal Courtyard: Museum of Ancient Art, with the last masterpiece of Michelangelo, the unfinished marble statue “Pieta Rondanini” ( Michelangelo Buonarroti, 1564).
First floor of the Ducal Courtyard: Museum of antique furniture and art collections, with a portrait of Galeazzo Maria Sforza.
In the halls of Rocchetta: Collections of Applied Art and a museum of historical musical instruments.
The “Torre Castellana” houses on the ground floor the treasury "Sala del Tesoro" with frescoes by Bramantino.
On the underground level of the Rocchetta and Sala Viscontea are the Prehistoric and the Egyptian Museum.
Opening hours Museums: 9 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. closed on Mondays Ticket price € 3,00
www.milanocastello.it
The Castle Park - Parco Sempione
Arch of Peace - Arco della Pace
Behind the castle is the Castle Park Parco Sempione. The English garden is a popular meeting place for young and old. Wide paths, large lawns, playgrounds and ponds offer space for rest and relaxation, cafes and numerous benches invite you to linger.
In a straight line through the park, opposite from the castle you can get to the Arch of Peace "Arco della Pace". Napoleon Bonaparte who occupied in the year 1796/97 Milan during the Italian campaign, began to built this triumphal arch 1907 as a new entrance to Milan from France.
Torre Branca is a metal structure of 108.6 m hight in the Sempione Parc as a part of the Triennale. By elevator you can go the 97 m high platform from where you have a view on the Sempione Parc, the Duomo Catheral and Milan.
The Triennale Exhibition takes place in the Palazzo dell'Arte in the Sempione Parc. It houses important exhibitions of Italian design. Viale Alemagna 6, Milano Parco Sempione