Castello Sforzesco
- Address:Piazza Castello, Milan
- Hours:Open Daily 7am - 7pm in Summer (until 6pm in Winter). Museums open 9am - 5:30pm Tues - Sun, closed on holidays.
- Admission:Free. Admission to museums: € 3
8:36 AM Sunday, May 27
Partly sunny. Mild.
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The Castello Sforzesco (or Sforza Castle) is a huge, classically crenellated pile of red-brick masonry on the western edge of central Milan.
The castle was built by the earlier Visconti dynasty, but became home to the ruling Sforza family in 1450. Stark and domineering, the castle is propped up with massive round battlements, and a stepped tower overlooks the central courtyard and gardens. Leonardo da Vinci helped design the defensive walls.
Today the castle houses a handful of excellent museums and galleries. See sculptures by Michelangelo in the Museum of Ancient Art off the courtyard, and a rich collection of paintings by the likes of Titian and Bellini in the Pinacoteca ("art gallery") on the 1st floor.
Wooden sculptures and furnishings fill the Museum of Applied Arts, again on the 1st floor, next door to the Museum of Musical Instruments. You’ll also find Egyptian and prehistoric collections in this huge castle complex.
Latest Reviews All Castello Sforzesco Reviews »
Great tour inside the Domo, Castle, we like the stop at a cafe. The Last Supper was priceless.
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I did this on my first morning in Milan and the french guide with impeccable english and italian together with his i-pad(!) gave a very good talk as we walked plus we had access to The Last Supper which was fully booked for that day. Taking in the Cathedral, La Scala and the castle Sforza from the outside it gives an insight into the history and geography of the main part of central Milan.
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Excellent introduction to Milan! Amy was well spoken and very experienced. We saw both II Duomo and the Last Supper by Leonardo. In Patricia Schultz's book, 1,000 Places to see before you die, she lists both of these sites as must-see for Milan. If you have more time, plan to tour inside Sforza Castle and take the elevator to Il Duomo rooftop. I highly recommend this tour!
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The Castello Sforzesco is at the northern end of Via Dante, which runs off the western end of central Piazza del Duomo. Handy underground metro stops include Lanza, Cairoli and Cadorna Triennale.
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