Sforza Castle in Milan - history, description and famous inhabitants. Castello Sforzesco Castle, Milan, Italy Sforzesco Fortress

The Sforzesco Castle in Milan is one of the most visited attractions in the city. It was named after its founder and first owner, Francesco Sforza. Interestingly, the Sforza surname is actually a nickname. Francesco's father's name was Muzio Attendolo, he was a condottiere, commander of a detachment of mercenary soldiers. For his extraordinary physical strength (according to legend, he could bend a horseshoe with his hands), he was nicknamed Sforza - Strong (“sforzo” from Italian “strengthening, tension”). And his children have already begun to bear this nickname as their official surname.

Historical information about the castle

Initially, another residence was built on the site of the Sforza Castle in the 14th century, that of the Duke of Visconti. However, it was completely dismantled by the rebel people in the 15th century. In 1450, Francesco Sforza became the ruler of the Duchy of Milan. It was then that he began to build himself a residence, called the Sforza Castle.

Castello Sforzesco (as the name of the castle sounds in Italian) was actually built in the middle of the century, but for several decades it was decorated and supplemented. For example, the great Leonardo da Vinci built a pergola there - an arch-shaped canopy for climbing plants, which is placed above the terraces and passages to protect from the sun.

Interestingly, the castle in Milan is very reminiscent of the Moscow Kremlin. There is the main tower of Filaret, similar to the Trinity, only smaller in size (70 and 80 meters in height, respectively). The walls, like the Kremlin wall, are decorated with battlements in the form of “swallowtails”. This similarity can be explained very simply: Italian architects were involved in the construction and design of the Moscow Kremlin.

In the 16th century, the castle underwent reconstruction. Its owner Ferrante Gonzago (he was the viceroy of the King of Sicily, the de facto ruler of Milan at that time) decided to turn the castle into a fortification. The halls of Castello Sforzesco were converted into barracks for soldiers. And one courtyard was paved with tiles and turned into a parade ground.

Napoleon Bonaparte played a significant role in the history of Milan and the Sforza Castle. When the city came under his authority, some local residents demanded that the emperor demolish the castle. Allegedly, he was for them a symbol of the hated rule of the Dukes of Milan. However, Napoleon not only did not destroy the fortress, but restored it. So modern tourists should be grateful to Napoleon for the fact that they can now observe this ancient landmark.


Later, the castle underwent several more reconstructions. And at the end of the 19th century it was recognized as an architectural monument and reconstruction began. It ended at the beginning of the 20th century and since then the castello has served as a museum. However, during the Second World War, the castle suffered again, mainly as a result of bombing, the fortress walls were destroyed. Post-war reconstruction ended in the 50s of the 20th century. After this, the Sforza Castle was no longer destroyed. And now it is protected by the state as significant architectural monument Italy.

Castle exposition

In Castello Sforzesco (Milan) tourists are interested in:

• The fortress walls, towers and courtyards of the castle are well preserved to this day.
• Parco Sempione, laid out around the castello, and located in the park, the Arch of Peace ( Triumphal Arch), built in the early 19th century by order of Napoleon Bonaparte. In the park you can walk along the alleys and relax sitting on benches. By the way, it is popular not only among guests of the city, but also among the Milanese themselves.
• Museums located in palace halls.

The main museum of the castle houses a magnificent collection of paintings, sculptures and other works of art. The most valuable exhibit here is an unfinished sculpture by Michelangelo, called Pieta Rondanini. It depicts the Virgin Mary mourning the deceased Jesus Christ. This is the last work of the great master, on which he worked just a few days before his death. But at that time he was 89 years old! In his youth, Michelangelo had already made a marble Pieta (now kept in St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican), but his unfinished work is completely different from the first.

• Ancient Egyptian,
• dishes,
• weapons,
• musical instruments.

Information for visitors to the castle

A single entrance ticket to all museums of Castello Sforzesco costs 5 euros. Admission for children is free. The castle is open to visitors from 7 am to 7 pm. However, museums are only open until 5 pm.

The castle is located in the historical center of Milan; you can walk from the main Duomo cathedral in about ten minutes. By the way, the Filaret Tower is clearly visible from many areas of Milan, so it serves as an excellent landmark for tourists.

If you find yourself in Milan, plan to spend a few hours exploring the Sforzesco Castle and its museums. You will see a lot of interesting things from ancient and not so ancient history our world.

The Sforzesco Castle in Milan is one of the most visited attractions in the city. It was named after its founder and first owner, Francesco Sforza. Interestingly, the Sforza surname is actually a nickname. Francesco's father's name was Muzio Attendolo, he was a condottiere, commander of a detachment of mercenary soldiers. For his extraordinary physical strength (according to legend, he could bend a horseshoe with his hands), he was nicknamed Sforza - Strong (“sforzo” from Italian “strengthening, tension”). And his children have already begun to bear this nickname as their official surname. Historical reference about the castle Initially, another residence was built on the site of the Sforza Castle in the 14th century, that of the Duke of Visconti. However, it was completely dismantled by the rebels...

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Sforzes Castle (Castello Sforzesco) in Milan - Photo

(Italian Castello Sforzesco) - fortified residence of the Dukes of the Sforza dynasty in Milan (Italy).

The castle in Milan was first built in the 14th century as the residence of the Visconti family, but was destroyed after the proclamation of the Ambrosian Republic. In the middle of the 15th century, Francesco Sforza restored the castle. In the 16th century, Leonardo da Vinci himself worked on the appearance of the castle. To this day, only a pergola and notes with literary experiments remain of his works.

The appearance of the Sforza Castle was taken as a model by the Milanese architects who built the Kremlin in Moscow, namely: the battlements on the walls, the shape of the towers. The main tower of the fortress (Filarete Tower) was designed by Antonio Filarete, who worked together with Aristotle Fioravanti.

During the Italian Wars, Ludovico Sforza left Milan, and his castle was occupied by the King of France, Louis XII. In 1521, lightning struck the gunpowder magazine located in the Filaret Tower, as a result of which it was resolved. The Spanish governor, Ferrante Gonzaga, decided to fortify the city and built new star-shaped fortifications around the Sforzesco Castle. Barracks for 2 thousand soldiers were located in the palace premises.

During the Revolutionary Wars, Milan was again captured by the French, who were briefly driven out by Suvorov in 1799. After Napoleon came to Milan, local residents handed him a petition that the Sforza Castle should be destroyed, following the example of the Bastille in France, as a symbol of the hated autocracy. But instead of destroying the castle, Napoleon ordered to build in front of it large area. In 1833, a large-scale restoration of the fortress was organized; during the restoration of 1900, the Filarete Tower was restored.

Now in the Sforza Castle there are several museums: prehistoric, ancient egypt, dishes, musical instruments. Almost nothing remains of da Vinci's frescoes; the ballroom and portico are much better preserved.

In the fortress you can see Michelangelo's last sculpture - Pieta Rondanini.

The symbol and pride of this beautiful and ancient city. The huge and seemingly inconspicuous fortress has experienced many shocks over its centuries-old and eventful history. However, despite everything, it survived and now delights numerous visitors with its austere and majestic beauty.

Construction

The Sforza Castle (Castello Sforzesco) is located in the historical center of the city. But at the time of its foundation, its location was outside the city camps, because it was originally created as a defensive fortress. The decision to build the castle was made by Duke Galeazzo II Visconti, who belonged to the famous ancient Visconti dynasty, which ruled Milan for more than a century and a half, starting in 1277.

By the middle of the 14th century, the once influential nobleman began to rapidly lose his political weight, as a result of which the Ambrosian Republic was established in the city. At this time, the castle suffered enormous damage when it was partially destroyed by the inhabitants of Milan, tired of the exorbitant tyranny of the Duke.

New owner

The fortress was empty for a long time. Finally, in 1450, a descendant of the Duke of Visconti, Francesco Sforza, received the title of his ancestors and permission from the Milanese Senate to restore the former family residence. According to the new owner, the bastion was supposed to not only regain its function as a defensive fortress, but also become a symbol of the city.

Gradually, the Sforza Castle in Milan was transformed. The fortress walls acquired high towers at the corners, and in 1473 a chapel called “Corte Duccale” was erected here. At the end of the 15th century, the heir of Duke Lodovico Sforza decided to remodel the gloomy castle to his liking, adding a little splendor and grace to its appearance.

For this purpose, the best masters of their time were summoned to Milan, including the famous Lonardo da Vinci. It is known that it was here that his brilliant paintings were created, such as “Lady with an Ermine,” which depicted the Duke’s mistress Cecilia Gallerani, as well as “La Belle Ferronière,” for which Lucrezia Crivelli posed. There were also luxurious ceiling frescoes made by da Vinci, but, unfortunately, almost nothing remains of them.

Along with the magnificent interiors of the castle, some of which have survived to this day, a number of other innovations have appeared in it. Several cozy courtyards were arranged here, as well as an elegant square framed by arcades, on which Filarete and Bramante worked. From this time on, the castle again became the residence of the Dukes of Milan.

French and Spanish periods

When the Italian Wars began, Lodovico Sforzo chose to leave Milan, and instead, King Louis XII of France moved into Sforza Castle. After his death, the fortress fell into decay, and in 1521, the Filarete tower, where the gunpowder warehouse was located, was struck by lightning. The explosion destroyed most of the building, so it had to be dismantled.

For some time, Ferrante Gonzaga, the Spanish governor, also lived in the castle. He decided to strengthen the defensive power of the city, for which he literally built it into the center of new fortifications, made in the shape of a star. Under him, most of the palace chambers turned into real barracks, where more than 2 thousand soldiers lived.

During Spanish rule, the Sforza Castle in Milan was a reliable fortress, the defense capability of which was supplemented by massive ramparts and other fortifications. According to surviving documents, in addition to the soldiers’ barracks, its territory housed a military church, a hospital, food warehouses and a tavern. The halls with luxurious paintings, on which Bramantino and Leonardo worked, were simply turned into ordinary utility rooms.

Patronage of Napoleon

The French came to replace Spanish rule. Napoleon settled in the city. Radical Milanese demanded that he destroy the Sforza Castle, which was so hated by them. However, contrary to their statements, Napoleon decided not only not to destroy, but, on the contrary, to restore part of the fortress in order to house his soldiers in it.

Under him, almost all fortifications previously erected by the Spaniards were demolished, including numerous ramparts. In addition, by order of Napoleon himself, a spacious square was laid out in front of the castle.

Reconstruction

In 1861, after the unification of the Italian state, it was decided to restore the fortress and give it the status of an architectural symbol of Milan. Luca Beltrami was invited to carry out restoration work. It should be noted that this talented architect approached this matter extremely responsibly. It was thanks to him that the previously blown up and then completely dismantled Filarete tower was fully restored.

In 1900 this historical monument opened its doors to the public for the first time and took pride of place as the main attraction of Milan. Five years later, the renovation of the fortress was completely completed.

World War II

During the war, the castle was again destroyed. Air bombs destroyed part of the wall and one of the cozy courtyards. After the war, this historical monument had to be restored once again. Large-scale renovation work took place here, during which a thorough restoration of both the interior and the exterior of the building was carried out.

Modern look

To enter the courtyard of the Sforzesco Castle (photo can be seen below), you need to pass the central gate located in the Filarete Tower. It is a multi-tiered majestic building 70 meters high. The tower is decorated with an elaborate bas-relief depicting King Umberto, an ancient clock called the “Sun of Justice”, as well as heraldic frescoes. Once upon a time there was a deserted area around the castle, which was used for military exercises. Now here lies the beautiful Sempione Park and Piazza delle Armi.

Now inside the Sforzesco Castle in Milan (photo is in the article) there is an extensive museum complex and a solid library, within the walls of which are stored truly unique materials telling about the centuries-old history of this amazing city.

IN this moment everyone has the opportunity to visit the castle and visit its art gallery and numerous museums, which display wooden sculptures, rare ancient musical instruments, antique furniture and archaeological finds. In addition, this historical complex houses works by such famous masters as Michelangelo Buonarotti, Giovanni Bellini and Mantegna.

Helpful information

The address of the Sforzesco Castle in Milan is: Piazza Castello, 27029. At first, the fortress may seem impregnable and rather gloomy. But having visited this in person unique place, once again you are convinced of the extraordinary beauty of its interior decorations.
Tourists going on holiday to Italy for the first time often do not know how to get to the Sforzesco Castle in Milan. In fact, everything here is extremely simple: you can reach it on foot from one of the central streets of the city - Via Dante. If you get to the place public transport, then you can get there either by bus (routes No. 18, 37, 58, 94) or by tram (No. 1, 4, 12, 14). If you wish, you can also get to the fortress by metro (lines MM1 and MM2), getting off at Cadorna Triennale station.

The opening hours of the Sforzesco Castle in Milan are from 7:00 to 18:00, and in the summer - until 19:00. Closed on Monday. Museums are also closed during major church holidays. Entrance to its territory is free. However, you will have to pay 4 euros to visit the museums. For a more detailed exploration of this attraction, you can buy a season pass. It will cost 15 euros per person.

It is worth noting that a good discount is provided for pensioners over 65 years of age and students upon presentation of the appropriate document. For them, a ticket will cost no more than 1.5 euros. Children and teenagers under 18 years of age enter the castle territory free of charge.

The inner tower was built under Galeazzo II Visconti in 1358-1368. She defended the entrance gate of Porta Jovia. In the XIV-XV centuries the castle was expanded. It became quadrangular in plan with four corner towers. The construction was supervised by Francesco Sforza (1450-1466). After his death, the fortress became a magnificent residence. The best artists and architects, including Leonardo and Bramante, worked on its main objects - the Armory Square, the Ducal Court and the Portico of the Elephant, the Rochetta Citadel and the Ponticella Bridge.

But today the castle is not only a monument of the past, but also an important Cultural Center, home to the Pinacoteca di Milano and the City Museums with art collections.

Filarete Tower

This tower houses the main entrance to the castle. Today it is main symbol Milana. It was rebuilt in 1905 and dedicated to Umberto I of Savoy, who was killed a few years earlier.

The original tower was destroyed in 1521 by a fire at a gunpowder magazine. Engineers and architects from different eras worked on it, including Filarete and, possibly, Bramante.

During the historical reconstruction of the tower, the engineer Beltrami used the preserved perimeter of the walls, archival documents, iconographic evidence, and examples of the castles of Cusago and Vigegnano.

Pinakothek

© Wikimedia Commons

The City Pinakothek is located on the second floor of the Ducal Court (Corte Ducale) of the Sforzesco Castle. Like the Brera Pinacoteca and the Ambrosian Pinacoteca, it houses the city's great artistic heritage. The 1,500 paintings on display allow you to take an artistic journey through the art of different periods, from Lombard late Gothic to the Renaissance (paintings by Foppa, Bergognone and Bramantino), and admire the famous works of Andrea Mantegna and Antonello da Messina.

Fresh water reservoir

Inside the north and south round towers the castle has preserved tanks fresh water, which played an important role in the water supply of Milan at the beginning of the 20th century. The installation and adjustment of the tanks was carried out by the architect Luca Beltrami, who was entrusted with restoration work in the castle.

The first tank was designed and placed in the east tower, on the right when looking at the main entrance. It was metal and served as a pressure regulator in the water supply system. A second tank was placed in the south tower ten years later. At the time, its reinforced concrete structure was considered a bold and innovative solution.

Axial Hall

The Sala delle Asse, or Axial Hall, is notable because Leonardo worked on it during the reign of Sforza. It is part of the castle's Museum of Ancient Art route and is open to the public from Tuesday to Saturday from 9:00 to 19:30 (Thursday until 22:30). No advance reservation required. The cost of an entrance ticket is 5 euros, a reduced ticket is 3.50.

During EXPO 2015, restoration work will be suspended to allow unimpeded access to the hall. High-resolution images and holograms will be projected onto the walls and ceiling.

Spanish Hospital - New Museum "Pieta Rondanini"

The old hospital had never been open to the public before. It was built in the mid-16th century for the Spanish garrison of the Sforza Castle. And now it displays the last statue of Michelangelo.

The master's last work, Pietà Rondanini, remained unfinished. But the dramatic nature of the composition is striking: the figures of Christ and the Virgin Mary appear from the marble, mourning her dead son. This work is considered the spiritual testament of the great sculptor, who worked on the statue until the last days of his life. The unfinished statue was found in his Roman apartment, and then its traces were lost until it was found in the house of the Marquis Giuseppe Rondanini, a refined Roman art collector. After a series of resales, she finally found herself in a specially designated room at the Sforza Castle.

The history of the Milan castle dates back to the 14th century. True, the modern traveler will not discover that option. Local residents saw it as nothing more than a symbol of oppression and a stronghold of the tyranny of the then ruling Visconti, so they dismantled it into pieces. The new castle appeared in the middle of the 15th century. through the efforts of the Sforza dynasty, which hoped to create the greatest residence in Europe.




But the century of prosperity was short-lived. Apparently, the difficult fate of the owners extended to their brainchild. Over the centuries, the fortress was destined to survive a variety of troubles: the indifference of the owners, military operations, lightning strikes, the organization of barracks and much more. Fate turned its face only in the 19th century, when a restoration was carried out that returned the medieval features to the complex. Much had to be restored after the Second World War.








The Sforza Castle and Sempione Park are the pride of the Milanese and one of the symbols of this ancient and beautiful city.
The decision to begin construction of the castle-fortress was made in 1368 by the Duke of Milan, Galeazzo II Visconti, from the famous Visconti dynasty, which ruled Milan for about two centuries, from 1277 to 1447. Construction of the Sforza Castle began under Francesco Sforza, who seized power in Milan in 1450
Francesco Sforza died in 1466, and his heirs, with the help of Leonardo da Vinci and Bramante, rebuilt the castle as a ducal residence. At the same time, the luxurious interiors of the castle were created, some of which can still be seen today. The castle began to include a series of courtyards, an elegant square framed by arcades by Bramante and Filarete. The palace becomes the residence of the Dukes of Milan; Galeazzo and his wife Bona of Savoy move here from the city palace.






During the reign of Duke Lodovico Moro, brother of Galeazzo (late 70s - 90s of the 15th century), the Sforza Castle became one of the most beautiful and rich ducal courts in Italy
With the outbreak of the Italian Wars, Lodovico Sforza fled from Milan, and the French king Louis XII settled in Sforza Castle. Under his successor Francis, the castle fell into disrepair; in 1521, a powder warehouse in the Filarete tower exploded due to a lightning strike, after which it was dismantled

The Spanish governor Ferrante Gonzaga, having begun to strengthen the city, built the Sforzesco castle in the center of the new Milanese fortifications in the shape of a star. Barracks for 2000 soldiers were built in the palace chambers

During the period of Spanish rule, the Sforza Castle, which continued to play the role of a defensive fortress, was surrounded by additional fortifications and massive ramparts. Drawings and literary sources of the time indicate that a hospital, a tavern, ice and food storage facilities, and two military churches were also located here. The halls, painted by Leonardo and Bramantino, were converted into utility rooms
During the time of Napoleon, the ducal power fell again, and some Milanese professing extreme views demanded the destruction of the Sforza Palace. Napoleon, contrary to these demands, decided to restore the old part of the castle-fortress to house his troops. And the troops were again stationed in the castle - now Napoleonic. Under Napoleon, numerous ramparts and fortifications built by the Spaniards were demolished. But only part of the territory was developed, turned into a vast public garden.




During the Revolutionary Wars, Milan was again captured by the French, who were briefly driven out of the city by A.V. Suvorov in April 1799. After the return of the French, local patriots presented Napoleon with a petition that Castello Sforzesco should share the fate of the Bastille as a symbol of the autocracy they hated. Instead of destroying the castle, Napoleon ordered a spacious square to be built in front of it. In 1833, a large-scale restoration of the Castello was carried out in a romantic spirit, which included the restoration of such medieval features as the moat around the castle
Restoration of the palace began in the middle of the 19th century. But it was really started only after the creation of a single independent Italian state in 1861. At this time, the castle was not only included in the list of monuments subject to priority reconstruction, but was also recognized as one of the main symbols of the city







Source: http://tiptotrip.ru/tips/962-zamok-sfortsa-v-milane#ixzz2322AbdjW
http://lifeglobe.net/blogs/details?id=783

3. They say that the Sforzesco Castle resembles the Moscow Kremlin and this is true, since the Kremlin was built by Milanese architects, who took the Milan Castle as a model. An interesting architectural detail: all the walls and towers of castles are usually crowned with battlements; they come in two types: square or dovetail-shaped. It turns out there is a reason for this. Castles and fortresses with square-shaped battlements were built by supporters of the Pope, while those with a dovetail shape were built by his opponents. So, already outwardly it was possible to predict who would own this fortification. Therefore, in the Moscow Kremlin, thinking logically, Milanese architects built battlements in the form of a swallowtail.
coat of arms of Milan...

4. The author of the original project is unknown; in all likelihood, construction began in 1368 and the castle experienced its moments of prosperity and decline, and was rebuilt many times. Directly in front of the Castle there is a large fountain, and behind it is the Philaret Tower. This quadrangular tower is 70 meters high. The tower is decorated with several decorative elements....

5. The bas-relief above the gate depicts King Umberto I

6. Directly below the first crenellation stands a statue of Saint Ambrogio between two large coats of arms,

7. Well, above, there is a large tower clock. The clock is the “sun of justice” - a symbol of the Visconti family, who began the construction of this architectural monument...

8. If you walk under the main tower, you find yourself in a large square - Piazza d'Armi - they used to play the role of a military parade ground for the training of soldiers who guarded the castle.

9. Museum and Library buildings are built into the walls along the perimeter of the square; the square is also decorated with many decorative elements, columns, remains of sculptures, and frescoes. Corner towers were built around 1455 - of course, their main purpose was defense, but as the guide told us, it also served as a prison.

11. Opposite the Philaret Tower in 1729, a monument to the famous Czech saint, John of Nepomuk (in Italian he sounds like San Giovanni Nepomuceno) was erected.

13. Through the gate with the large coat of arms of the Sforza family you can enter the Ducal Court, where the buildings of the Castello museums are located, and then details of the castle...

14. a drinking water pump in the castle courtyard...

15.These cats were seen in the yard, wandering peacefully here and there, but the most interesting thing is the bird that is between them - it feels quite comfortable)))

16. Perhaps such contact with eternity is more... digestible)

19. The castle was once simply huge, but now some elements of the 16th century castle have been preserved outside its territory.

Castello Sforzesco

“Francesco Sforza, knowing how to fight, from a private person became the Duke of Milan, his children, evading the hardships of war, from dukes became private citizens.”
Nicolo Machiavelli, "The Prince"

Sforza Castle - one of the most famous castles in Italy is located in the very heart of Milan and, being inextricably linked, symbolizes the entire centuries-old history of the city. The castle was rebuilt many times, many times it had to defend itself not only from external enemies, but also from the townspeople themselves, but thanks to Italian architects and restorers, it can still delight any visitor today.

Giovanni Visconti The Sforza Castle dates back to the time when the Duchy of Milan passed into the hands of the House of Visconti, who managed to get it from the hands of their enemies - the House of Della Torre. Thanks to the wise policies of the House of Visconti, in particular Matteo I, most of Lombardy was under its control.

Bernardo Bellotto, Castello Sforzesco di Milano, 1750 circa

During the reign of Giovanni Visconti, the Duchy of Milan captured the city of Bologna, gained access to the sea by capturing Genoa, and controlled one of the cantons of what is now Switzerland.

Giovanni Visconti died in 1354. His nephews Matteo II, Galeazzo II and Bernabo inherited all his possessions, including Milan. Matteo died a year later, so all the territories, including Milan, were divided between the two remaining brothers. Bernabo received the eastern lands on the border with Verona, Galeazzo - the western ones. Milan was to be ruled by each brother in turn.

Il progetto dell"Antolini (lato Milano)
At that time Milan was a powerful city with developed infrastructure: the city was surrounded by protective walls and gates, bridges and markets were built, the city streets were paved and provided with sewerage.

Between 1360 and 1370 Galeazzo II decides to strengthen one of the city gates and begins the construction of a castle-fortress as part of the existing city walls. The business was continued by Galeazzo's son, Gian-Galeazzo. He built a small structure that served as barracks for mercenaries.

1958 The plan for the construction of the castle from the time of Visconti Gian during his reign (1378-1402) centralized the management of the duchy, created conditions for the development of arts, industry and trade. It was under him that the famous Milanese building began to be built. Cathedral Duomo.

Bramantino, Argo, Sala del Tesoro

Estátua de San Giovanni (São João) Nepomuceno

The last of the Visconti dynasty, Filippo Maria, continued work on the construction of the castle, which had already turned into a ducal residence. On the initiative, a park was laid out next to the castle.

Filippo had no male heirs, and his illegitimate daughter, Bianca Maria, married a prominent Milanese mercenary commander, Francesco Sforza.

After the death of Filippo in 1447, the Milanese, tired of the tyranny of the Visconti, proclaimed the so-called. Ambrosian Republic. The Visconti castle was destroyed, and its stones were used to pay debts to the builders who renovated the old city walls.

The republic did not last long, only 3 years. During this time, Francesco Sforza managed to protect it from several attacks by both the Venetians and the Lombardians. Given this success and his role in the victories, Francesco managed to proclaim himself the new Duke of Milan.

After coming to power, Sforza decides to build the castle he himself once destroyed. According to his plan, the new fortress should become a symbol of the beauty of the city and protect Milan from possible enemies. Many famous architects were commissioned to work on the castle, including Jacopo da Cortona, Giovanni da Milano and Marcoleone da Nogarolo.

Francesco Sforza

In 1452, the Florentine architect Antonio Averulino, also known as Antonio Filarete ("Il Filarete"), was commissioned to build the castle's central passage tower. Although the castle was conceived as a luxurious residence for the Duke, Antonio was soon removed from work and the military architect Bartolomeo Gadio took over the matter.

To complete the work, Sforza even asked permission from the Pope to destroy the church that was interfering with construction. However, despite such love for the brainchild, Sforza still preferred to live in Milan in the old Arengo Palace.

After the death of Francesco Sforza in 1466, his first son Galeazzo Maria came to power in Milan. He again got the idea to turn the castle into a luxurious residence and commissioned Florentine architects. They added many new elements, including designing stables for 90 horses.

Historians characterize the Sforzas of that time as people who loved to buy luxury things, horses, diamonds, but at the same time slept next to the “chicken coop”. Often they fell asleep in the same hall where there had been a banquet before.

After several years of tireless work, the castle finally turned into a luxurious residence. The Rocchetta courtyard was decorated with a portico, and inside one of the rooms there was a Ballroom (“Sala della Balla”). Here Galeazzo Maria liked to play sports something similar to modern tennis.

Galeazzo Maria Sforza was killed on December 26, 1476 in front of the Chapel of St. Stephen. Fearing for her life, his wife Bona of Savoy built the Rochetta in the most protected part of the castle, high tower. From here she could observe all the buildings. Today this tower is known as the "Torre di Bona" (Tower of Bona).

In 1480, power was seized from Galeazzo Maria's young son by his brother, Lodovico Maria, also known as "Il Moro" (The Moor). Galeazzo Maria's initials in all rooms of the castle were replaced by Lodovic's monograms

In 1482, Duke Lodovico invited Leonardo da Vinci to join the Ducal College of Engineers in Milan. The latter decorated the castle with frescoes in the "Sala delle Asse". After a long restoration, the frescoes can still be seen today. During the so-called During the “Italian Wars,” Milan, and with it the Sforza Castle, passed either into the hands of the French, or the Swiss, or into the hands of the troops of the Holy Roman Empire.

On June 23, 1521, the archives report that the castle's Philaret Tower was struck by lightning. The tower was used as an ammunition depot, so the tower was almost completely destroyed and the castle was seriously damaged.

Starting in 1549, new massive walls were built around Milan (outside the old ones). The Sforza Castle was connected to them with a "Tenaglie" (claw). Some led to Porta Comasina, others to Porta Vercellina. Soon, however, such a system was considered unsuccessful and was replaced by the bastion system, which had already proven its effectiveness by that time.

The Sforza Castle turned from a luxurious residence into a real fortress; up to 2,000 soldiers could be stationed in it at the same time. All construction costs were borne by the residents of Milan. According to archival sources, the fortress also had: a hospital, a pharmacy, craft shops, a bakery, a tavern, warehouses and two churches.

In 1706, Milan was captured by the Austrians under the leadership of Eugene of Savoy. The castle was again used as a barracks, this time for Austrian soldiers.

One of the important lines in the history of the Milan Castle is connected with Napoleon. On May 9, 1796, Duke Ferdinand fled from Milan, leaving a garrison of only 2,000 soldiers, 152 cannons, and 3,000 quintals of gunpowder to defend the city. At first, the Austrian lieutenant Lamy managed to hold back the townspeople supporting the French, but Milan was besieged by Napoleon and on May 15, 1796, the French emperor entered the city. By the end of June the castle was also in French hands

Napoleon planned to place a garrison of 4,000 people in the castle, but the fanatical citizens of Milan demanded that the symbol of former tyranny be completely destroyed. Fortunately, in April 1799, troops approached Milan under the leadership of A.V. Suvorov (Russia, England and Austria took joint military action against Napoleon’s expansion), the city was besieged and taken by Suvorov’s army. Soon, at the request of the Austrian Emperor, Suvorov had to leave with the army for Switzerland (this was his famous crossing of the Alps).

The ducal chapel was turned into a stable, the duke's rooms became dormitories, and the frescoes were painted over with lime.

At the beginning of the 19th century, the bastions and ramparts of star-shaped fortifications, built under the Austrians, were demolished. The population rejoiced! According to the new project, a huge square appeared around the castle, called Foro Bonaparte. In its center is the Sforza Castle, which was supposed to house the government.

However, after April 1801 the project was shelved and then gradually transformed into the square known today as Piazza delle Armi. After Napoleon's defeat in 1815, the Austrians returned to Milan. Little has changed in the life of the Sforza Castle - it continued to be used as barracks. Only on the gate in the northwestern part of the castle did several decorative elements appear, depicting generals from the Habsburg dynasty.

During the “Five Days” (Milanese revolt) from March 18 to 22, 1848, the cannons of the Sforza Castle bombarded Milan. All the instigators of the uprising were arrested and imprisoned in the prison cells of the castle.

After the Austrians left Lombardy in 1859, the castle was captured and plundered by the inhabitants of Milan.

After the Italian Reunification (Risorgimento), various projects were proposed to restore the Sforzesco Castle. Some again proposed to destroy it, others considered it necessary to rebuild the fortifications in gothic style etc. As a result, the “philological” option was chosen. Work began in 1893 under the direction of the architect Luca Beltrami. The height of several towers was reduced, and the walls connecting the castle with the city walls were demolished. Old rooms, frescoes, cornices were restored, and the roof was renewed. There is a museum in the ducal apartments.

Fra Filippo Lippi - Madonna of Humility (Trivulzio Madonna)

The opening of the Sforza Castle to the general public took place in May 1900. The reconstruction of the castle was completed in 1905 with the restoration of the Filarete tower.

Museo egizio di Milano (situato nel Castello sforzesco). Sarcofago di Tas-Bestet-Peret. Tebe, XXVI dynastia.

Unfortunately, the Second World War did not spare the castle and in 1943, during the bombing, it was again seriously damaged, especially by Rocchetta.
By 1956, the castle was again restored to the form that any visitor can see today.

Pietro Bussolo "Annunciata" Bassorilievo ligneo, 1480 circa

Egyptian Museum

Museum of Musical Instruments