Sforzesco

Sforzesco, commonly referring to Castello Sforzesco, is a historic fortress in Milan, Lombardy, northern Italy. It is located at the end of the central axis of the city near Parco Sempione and Piazza Castello, making it one of Milan’s most prominent landmarks. The castle originated as a 14th‑century fortress built by the Visconti to defend the city. In the mid-15th century Francesco Sforza, who became Duke of Milan, commissioned extensive expansion and renovation, transforming it into a ducal residence and giving the complex the name Castello Sforzesco. The fortified complex centers on a rectangle around a inner courtyard, with the notable Torre del Filarete at the southeast corner.

Throughout its long history the castle has served military and administrative functions and has undergone various modifications by successive rulers. In the modern era, it underwent a major restoration directed by the architect Luca Beltrami in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and was opened to the public as a cultural site.

Today Castello Sforzesco houses several museums and collections. The Pinacoteca del Castello Sforzesco presents Renaissance and later paintings, while the Museo d'Arte Antica contains medieval and Renaissance works and sculpture. The Museo degli Strumenti Musicali showcases historical musical instruments, and the complex includes restored armory spaces. The site also preserves the Sala delle Asse, a room associated with Leonardo da Vinci. The castle’s integration with Parco Sempione and its status as a cultural hub make it a major Milanese destination for residents and visitors alike.

The surname Sforza refers to the ruling dynasty that occupied Milan in the 15th and 16th centuries, from which the castle derives its name.