Sforza Castle Tickets & Tours

Sforza Castle was built in the 15th century by Francesco Sforza, Duke of Milan, on the remnants of a 14th-century fortification. Later renovated and enlarged, in the 16th and 17th centuries it was one of the largest citadels in Europe. Extensively rebuilt by Luca Beltrami in 1891–1905, it now houses several of the city's museums and art collections.

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Just outside the historical centre of Milan stands the Sforza Castle, a grand 15th-century fortification built on the ruins of a previous medieval fortress, commissioned by Francesco Sforza, Lord of the city at the time. Over the centuries, the Castle had many masters, as rulers that followed one another in the history of Milan before the Unification of Italy. Not only Milanese families like the Sforza, but also very important foreign governors, such as Emperor Charles V and Napoleon Bonaparte. Especially at the beginning of the 20th century, the Milanese had conflicting feelings towards the Castle. The reason was that over centuries it became the military base of invading armies that had attacked the citizens even firing from the towers of the fortress, as happened in 1848 during the rebellion of the Milanese against the Austrian Hapsburgs (the famous Five Days of Milan). In the end, it was decided not to destroy the building and to renovate it to the shape of the Sforza era. After further restoration after the bombings of the World War II, the Castle became the seat of the Modern Art Gallery (until 1920) and the School of Applied Engineering Art (until 1999). Afterwards, this bond with the artistic world hosted an Art Gallery, where you can admire paintings by prestigious painters, such as Tiepolo, Andrea Mantegna, Filippo Lippi, Canaletto, Bronzino, Tintoretto and many others.

The Castle has not lost its importance for Milan. It has diversified its function, making it even more significant in the artistic and cultural panorama of the city. The complex now houses a beautiful Art Gallery, the Archaeological Museum (divided into Prehistoric Museum and Egyptian Museum), various exhibitions, libraries and archives. Moreover, the large space occupied by the fortress is also used for temporary exhibitions, courses, meetings and conferences. Finally, if, after so much immersion in art you need to rest a bit, the ancient Piazza d'Armi is now occupied by the Parco del Sempione, one of the largest green areas in Milan. Inside there is not only a great variety of flowers and plants but also a library and a delightful little lake.