Milan On Foot Tour #2 Sforzesco Castle In Milan, Lombardy Italy
The Castello Sforzesco (The Sforza Castle) is a medieval fortess and is one of Milan's famous landmarks. This was originally built in the 15th century by Francesco Sforza, Duke of Milan, on the remnants of a 14th-century fortification. It was later renovated and enlarged in the 16th and 17th centuries and was one of the largest citadels in Europe.
In Piazza Castello at the main entrance of Sforza Casle is located an historic fountain also known as Torta degli Sposi. It was so named by the Milanese for its shape slightly similar to a wedding cake. It was built during the fascist era and is a popular meeting point.
At the Castello Sforzesco one will find the following museums Museo d'Arte Antica, il Museo Pietà Rondanini (where Michelangelo's unfinished masterpiece is located), la Pinacoteca, il Museo Egizio, il Museo della Preistoria e Protostoria, il Museo delle Arti Decorative and the Museo degli Strumenti Musicali.
In The Sala delle Asse, is the location of a painting in tempera on plaster by Leonardo da Vinci. Leonardo worked at the Castle as a military and civil engineer and only later as an artist.
You can go inside and see museums like I did and of course you have to pay or you can just stroll the oudoor of the castle and enjoy its beauty for free.
A few steps behind of the walls of Castello Sforzesco there is in the large Parco Sempione, the green lung of the city which is a popular place to picnic, exercise, cycle or to just stroll through in a peaceful environment and to look around.
Nestled in Sempione Park there is the panoramic Torre Branca (Tower Branca) in iron which is 108.6 m high, the work of architect Gio Ponti, a designer and an artist. The tower can be visited and from the top where you can admire the surrounding panoramic view. A the edge of this magnificent park is locate The Peace Arch.
I am sharing with you my adventures by exploring the main attraction of The Sforzesca Castle and Sempione Parklocated in the center of Milan. The attractions listed are an introductory overview that will give an idea for those who want to visit the mediaval Sforzesco Caste in center of Milan - La Bella Italia!
Highlights:
• Sforza Castle/Sforzesco Castle
• The fountain in Piazza Castello - the Wedding Cake
• The museum of the Castello Sforzesco
• Sempione Park
• Branca Tower
• The Arch of Peace
The museum and history of the castle was very interesting it was a gigantic complex with a number of galleries and exhibition spaces and museum activities which were very impressive.
There are many interesting things to see from works of sculpture, to art treasures, paintings, musical instruments, but also the multitude of buildings of different styles and eras were a sight in itself. I spent a couple of hours wandering the inner courtyards and checking out different museum collections. The connections between them are very interesting!