Via Dante (Dante Alghieri Street) connecting Piazza Cordusio and Castello Sforzesco, two of the most visited spots of Milano. This short but very bussy street is pedestrian mall with number of shops, sidewalk cafe-bars and restaurants. Both locals and visitors like to spend time in this cafe-bars, sipping drinks and watching people passing by.
Via Dante is of particular interest for me and my compatriots because the General Consulat of Republic of Croatia is situated right here in this street.
Updated Dec 25, 2011
Address: Via Dante
Once one of the largest citadels in Europe, the origins of the castle are 14th century. But it was under the moderate Francisco Sforza, Duke of Milan for 19 years between 1447 and 1466, that the city and his castle began to take shape.
Under Spanish rule in the late 15th and 16th centuries, the castle was extensively rebuilt and expanded, housing more than 3000 men to protect the route in and out of Italy from the Alps. It became more of a fortress than a castle as a result.
Much of the huge and extensive battlements have long gone – present day Parco Sempione and the Piazza Castello were established on grounds once incorporated into the fortress.
Today, the castle is a mix of old and new – the central Filarete Tower was rebuilt between 1900 and 1905 as a monument to King Umberto I. Importantly, whilst access to the grounds and inner courtyards are free, the extensive rooms are the home of a number of civic museums.
Included in the complex is the Pinacoteca del Castello Sforzesco, a collection of art (including Michelangelo, Da Vinci and Mantegna), armoury and history of the city: Museum of Ancient Art and The Furniture Museum among others.
Written Aug 27, 2011
Address: Piazza Castello
In Castle Sforzesca there is a small museum devoted to Ancient Egypt. Although the collection is neither vast nor particularly outstanding, it does contain several mummies- push your face up against the glass and marvel at how well they are preserved!
Updated Apr 4, 2011
Address: Piazza Castello
Phone: (+39) 02/88463700
During the ages, the castle has been under the domination of Spain, France and Austria. Later it was conquered by Napoleon, again by the Austrians and in the end it was restored by the citizens of Milan.
Written Feb 15, 2011
Address: Piazza Castello
Website: http://www.milanocastello.it/ing/home.html
The last king of the Visconti family, Filippo Maria, died in 1447. He had no legitimate heirs, so the citizens from Milan could proclaim a change of the regyme - the Republic. The fortress was destroyed and its stones were used to restore the town walls.
Written Feb 15, 2011
Address: Piazza Castello
Website: http://www.milanocastello.it/ing/home.html
The old fortress called 'di Porta Giovia' was built in the period from 1360 to 1370 around Milan's medieval walls. It has been built by Galeazzo Visconti as a defence. The Visconti Castle had a square plan (180x180 meters). A tower was built in each corner.
Updated Feb 15, 2011
Address: Piazza Castello
Website: http://www.milanocastello.it/ing/home.html
The Sforzesco Castle is a main attraction of Milan. It enjoys rich and long history during the past centuries. It was demolished, then rebuilt several times, embellished and restored to become a symbol of both happy and dramatic events that are to be found in the historical background of the city.
Written Feb 15, 2011
Address: Piazza Castello
Website: http://www.milanocastello.it/ing/home.html
You will enjoy visiting this castle structure, a rebuilt model of the Sforza Castle. The inside area is huge and offers many photo opportunities. There are museums in several different parts and a really nice museum shop.
You really get a feel for the power of the ruler and when you know some of Da Vinci history you begin to see better how it fits with the times. Knowing how Da Vinci was supported by this ruler and what Sforza required of him helps you understand the result of Da Vinci's work. I would suggest a visit to a museum called Museo d'Arte e Scienza which has some nice exhibits on Da Vinci. This museum is located very near the castle.
Below are some photos to show you the castle.
Opening hours:
open daily
7.00 a.m. - 6.00 p.m. (in winter) | 7.00 a.m. - 7.00 p.m. (in summer)
Free admission (except for castle museums)
Updated Jan 31, 2011
Address: Piazza Castello
Phone: (+39) 02/88463700
Website: http://www.milanocastello.it/ing/info.html
Castello Sforzesco dates back to the late 14th century and is named after Francesco Sforza, the Duke of Milan, who turned the fortress into his residence. Today it houses several museums, including the Pinacoteca Museum of Art and the Museum of Musical Instruments.
You can walk around the grounds of the Castello free of charge, but there are fees to enter the museums. Check the website for more information.
I liked seeing the moat, now a deep, grass-covered ditch, and the huge portcullis at the entrance.
Open daily 7-6 (winter) and 7-7 (summer). The museums are closed on Monday.
Updated Nov 13, 2010
Address: Piazza Castello
Phone: (+39) 02/88463700
Website: http://www.milanocastello.it/ing/home.html
This ancient castle with its towering and imposing fortress is a great attraction near Milan city centre! The architectural features are amazing and they are well preserved too. You won't miss this as the highest tower is seen in almost all of Milan, at whatever area you are in!
Aside from the huge tower, other features include lovely gardens andcourtyards, plus the stone structures which form part of the fortress of the castle.
Our guide said it used to be the seat and residence of the ruling family of Milan and now houses several of the city's museums and art collections.
The original construction on the site began in the 14th century. In 1450, Francesco Sforza began reconstruction of the castle, and it was further modified by later generations. A number of these rooms originally had elaborate internal decoration - the best known of these being the Sala Delle Asse with surviving ceiling paintings by Leonardo da Vinci.
We later also viewed the painting of THE LAST SUPPER by Da Vinci!
Written May 28, 2010
Address: Piazza Castello
Sponsored Links
Hotel Principe Di Savoia Milan
5 Reviews and 334 Opinions I was there for business purposes for a short period of time only, but I can still come with a...
Hotel Spadari al Duomo Milan Milan
1 Review and 415 Opinions Why booked the Special room for 320 euro per night, because it looked the pretiest from the photos...
Park Hyatt Milan Milan
2 Reviews and 293 Opinions The worse hotel I ever stayed. My mum, my sister and myself were robbed inside our hotel room. The...
Piazza Castello
Castello Sforzesco tips and photos posted by real travelers and Milan locals.
Write a Review
This ancient castle with its towering and imposing fortress is a great attraction near Milan city centre! The architectural features are amazing and they are...
871 members live in Milan

Q: Hi everyone, I've trawled the web and just can't seem to find what I need so am hoping you can help me. I'm travelling to...

A: Hi, I did this.. best is the get to Bergamo, and from there to Bratto. Local buses serve these routes, or even train to Bergamo, then the bus - stop is right outside the...
Read 8 Replies
1
MILAN - As I've always wanted to visit

April 2007 update: A Saturday evening and half of Sunday in Milan is not much, but is just the perfect alternative to the long hours in the transit airports in case of a flight directed to Torino...
2

Hi everyone, welcome to MIlan the city of fashion and design...(so to say) I was born and raised here so if you need any tourist tips feel free to contact me. A brief history of Milan : Milan was......
3

Pinch me. I can't believe I'm in Milan. Yes, Milan - the world's fashion capital and the richest city in the whole of the Italian peninsula. (Of course if you're speaking with a Roman, he'd vehemently...
4

Milan, the best place in Italy! I've spent nearly two years in this town, and it has everything you might ask for. Except a beach, ocean, my swedish favorite-pizza and a few more things. But still, I...
5

Many people say, Milano is a very unattractive touristic destination, exept for business or fashion shows, there are no other reasons to visit it. How wrong. The truth is, Milano is a very huge town...
Build your own Milan page
Sponsored Links