The original Visconti Palace and then Castello Sforzesco, home to the powerful Sforza dynasty, is now home to more than a dozen museums and is one of Milan's symbols.

The unusual red-brick structure hosted the master Leonardo Da Vinci, who designed the castle's defences.

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According to many tourists, the castle is one of the most beautiful in all of Italy, but definitely one of the largest and most important.

Architecture and history

Originally on the site of Sforzesco Castle stood the fortress of the Visconti family, which in 1450 the first Milanese warlord of the Sforza family, Francesco I Sforza, had demolished and built a larger and more monumental castle.

The Castello Sforzesco served as Milan's most important defensive fortress for centuries, and until the 18th century its rebuilding was minimal. After the unification of Italy in the mid-19th century, the castle was transformed from a defensive fortress to a representative purpose. A huge park, Sempione, was built in the wide surroundings. Further major alterations were carried out by the architect Luca Beltrani in the first half of the 20th century.

Today, the Sforzesco complex consists of the main palace with a courtyard surrounded by a high wall with battlements and 5 towers.

Museums or What to see inside?

Castello Sforzesco today consists of several museums that you can visit.

• Museo Pietà Rondanini - a small museum paying tribute to the unfinished sculpture of the Pieta by Michelangelo, which forms the main part of the
• Pinacoteca - a gallery of Italian art from the 15th to the 18th century with 230 works by artists such as Titian, Giovanni Bellini, Tintoretto, Andrea Mantegna and others
• Museo d'arte antica - a museum of ancient art boasting a large collection of sculptures from ancient Rome as well as the Middle Ages and the Renaissance
• Museo Egizio - Museum of Ancient Egyptian Art
• Museo degli Strumenti Musicali - an interesting museum of musical instruments offering more than 700 exhibits from the 15th to the 20th century, with an emphasis on those made in Lombardy

Admission and opening hours

The castle grounds are open daily from 7:00 am to 7:30 pm.

Entrance to the courtyard is free.

There is only a charge for admission to the museums, namely 5 eur for adults and 3 eur under 18 and over 65. The ticket for 5 eur is valid for all museums together in the whole complex.

Official website: milanocastello.it

Accommodation in the area

The area around Castello Sforzesco can still be counted as the main centre of Milan, but you can already find cheaper hotels with prices starting from 110 eur per night.

These include, for example, the London Hotel or the Cadorna Luxury Hotel.

How to get to the castle?

Castello Sforzesco is on the northwestern edge of the centre and is about a 20-minute walk from Milan Cathedral.

About 600 metres from the castle is another important landmark, the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie with its mural of the Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci.

Nearest metro station:

• Cairoli - 100 metres, red line 1
• Cadorna - 350 metres, red line 1 + green line 2, trains from Malpensa Airport
• Lanza - 350 metres, green line 2

Nearest tram stops:

• Cairoli - 100 metres, lines 1 and 4

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