Spend a day at Milan's amazing Castello Sforzesco

Discovering the castle

The famous Castello Sforzesco is one of the most frequented Milan attractions. There are many Milan museums to discover, but this collection is truly unique. Francesco Sforza, Duke of Milan had the majestic structure erected in the 15th century upon the ruins of an older fort. Today, it houses ever-changing exhibitions, art collections and museums within its walls. Each of the museums has a different gated entrance and some charge admission fees.
Castello Sforzesco is about 10 minutes on foot from the Duomo Milano, so make sure to visit if you have some spare time during your stay. Proximity to a number of metro stops make it easily accessible.

What to expect inside

A bird’s eye view would reveal that Castello Sforzesco is quadrangular in shape. Entering the Piazza Castello, visitors will spot the Torre della Corte to the north and the Torre del Tesoro on the western side. There are four entrances in total. Visit the Pinacoteca del Castello Sforzesco to marvel at its grand art collection, then the Milan Museum of Ancient Art for its armour displays and a special room for discovering ancient tapestries. Another notable museum is the Archaeological Museum of Milan, where you can study prehistoric findings.
If you are interested in Leonardo da Vinci’s writing, visit the Trivulziana Library to see some of his preserved manuscripts. In the Cabinet of Drawings, there are more prized da Vinci works plus art by Agnolo Gaddi and Agostino Busti.
Before visiting the actual site of Castello Sforzesco, take a virtual tour on the website to help plan your visit.

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Author: Marta Corona

Guest Relations at NH Collection Milano Touring

Ciao! I am Marta Corona, Guest Relations Manager at NH Collection Milano Touring since 2023. The best and most inspiring part of my job is getting in touch with new people every day. I love promoting the city to foreign guests, as well as to the Italian ones, providing unique suggestions. And receiving a great feedback is definitely the icing on the cake!
Being born and raised in a different city than Milan, the main goal to me is surprising guests with tailored tips. Milan is a great city, offering so much to its citizens as well as to tourists and I think it is key to find peculiar activities and attractions in addition to the most popular ones, covering a wider range of interests.