Parco Sempione
Milan, Italy
Sforza Castle (Castello Sforzesco), Milan
i
Photo: Joegiuseppe, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia CommonsFit in nearby today
The essentials in 10 seconds
- Entry
- Courtyards free; museums ticketed
verifyingi
From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Opening hours
- Museums Tuesday–Sunday, closed Monday
verifyingi
From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Time on site
i
A typical visit without queueing. In high season add 15–30 minutes. - 2 h
- With kids
- Fine with kids
- Highlights
- Rondanini Pietà, Sala delle Asse, Filarete Tower
- Museums
- Ancient art, picture gallery, instruments
- Time needed
- 20 minutes for the courtyards, about 2 hours for museums
- Metro
- Cairoli (M1), 2 minutes; Lanza (M2)
Key facts
14th centurythe Visconti built the first fortress here
Sourcei
English Wikipedia1450Francesco Sforza began rebuilding it
Sourcei
English Wikipedia≈ 70 mheight of the Filarete Tower over the gate
Sourcei
English Wikipedia1905Luca Beltrami rebuilt the tower
Sourcei
English WikipediaMichelangelothe Rondanini Pietà is his last sculpture
Sourcei
English WikipediaA short history
Milan's Visconti rulers built the first fortress here in the 14th century. When Francesco Sforza took power in 1450, he rebuilt it as a splendid residence behind massive walls, and under his successors — above all Duke Ludovico il Moro — Renaissance masters including Leonardo da Vinci and Bramante worked here.
Centuries as a fortress left it run down, and in the late 19th century the city considered demolishing it. Architect Luca Beltrami argued for restoration instead, rebuilding the tall Filarete Tower over the main gate from old drawings (1905) and installing the civic museums that still fill its halls.
Courtyards and towers
Through the gate beneath the Filarete Tower lies the huge Piazza d'Armi, free to stroll. Beyond are the two inner courts of the ducal residence: the Rocchetta, the most fortified part, and the Corte Ducale with its graceful loggia. Two round stone towers anchor the corners, and an archway at the back opens into Parco Sempione — walk straight through for views down Via Dante to the cathedral and across the park to the Arch of Peace. In summer the courtyards host open-air concerts and films.
The Rondanini Pietà and the museums
The castle's treasure is Michelangelo's Rondanini Pietà, his last sculpture, which he worked on into extreme old age. Left unfinished, its figures of Mary and Christ seem to dissolve into the stone — unlike anything else he made. It has its own hall in the former Spanish hospital.
In the Sala delle Asse, Leonardo painted the vault as a canopy of sixteen trees whose branches weave into a golden rope; the hall has recently been restored. The castle also holds the Museum of Ancient Art, a picture gallery with Mantegna, Bellini and Correggio, a collection of musical instruments, furniture, ceramics and an Egyptian section.
What to see
- Filarete Tower — over the main gate, the castle's emblem.
- Rondanini Pietà — Michelangelo's last sculpture.
- Sala delle Asse — Leonardo's tree-branch ceiling.
- Picture gallery — Mantegna, Bellini, Correggio.
- Musical Instruments Museum — violins, harpsichords and rarities.
- Corte Ducale — the dukes' courtyard with its loggia.
How to get there
Tap a route to highlight it on the map.
Where are you starting from?
We’ll draw it on the map on foot and by taxi; metro and buses open in your maps app. Your location isn’t stored.
On foot
- Parco Sempione is about 8 min away on foot.
- Pinacoteca di Brera is about 11 min away on foot.
- La Scala is about 14 min away on foot.
More tips
- Metro M1 to Cairoli, 2 minutes to the main gate.
- Metro M2 to Lanza, 5 minutes to the side entrance.
- From Milan Cathedral, 15 minutes along Via Dante.
- Trams 1, 2, 4 and 12 stop at Piazza Castello.
Is Sforza Castle worth it?
Yes. The courtyards are free and handsome, and the Rondanini Pietà and the Sala delle Asse justify a ticket even for non-museum people. Combine it with a walk in Parco Sempione and the Last Supper, 15 minutes away. Children tend to love the walls, towers and armour.
Before you go
Ready: 0 of 5Tick off what's ready — your ticks are saved in this browser.
You are ready for the visit
Milan's museums: compare and choose
Museums and galleries in Milan rated by YesGo. Click a column header to sort.
| The Last Supper | 72 | 30 min | Paid, booking only | 15 min walk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Siro Stadium | 58 | 1 h 30 min | Paid | 4.4 km |
| La Scala | 51 | 1 h | Paid | 14 min walk |
| Sforza Castleyou are here | 48 | 2 h | Courtyards free, museums paid | — |
| Pinacoteca di Brera | 37 | 2 h | Paid | 11 min walk |
| Pinacoteca Ambrosiana | 37 | 1 h 30 min | Paid | 17 min walk |
Castle, park and Leonardo
Sforza Castle, a stroll in Parco Sempione, the Last Supper and the Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio.
- Sforza Castleyou are here2 h · Courtyards free, museums paid
- 7 min walk from the previous stopParco Sempione1 h · Free
- 14 min walk from the previous stopThe Last Supper30 min · Paid, booking only
- 11 min walk from the previous stopBasilica of Sant'Ambrogio40 min · Free
4 places · about 4 h 42 min with walks · 32 min on foot in total
Nearby and on the way
How to do it right
- The courtyards are free.
- Museums close on Mondays.
- See the Pietà in the morning.
- Parco Sempione is out the back.
Questions
Is Sforza Castle free?
The courtyards are free; the museums, including the Rondanini Pietà, need a single ticket.
What is there to see in Sforza Castle?
Michelangelo's Rondanini Pietà, Leonardo's Sala delle Asse, the picture gallery, the musical instruments museum and the courtyards.
How long do you need?
20 minutes for the courtyards, around two hours for the museums.
When are the museums closed?
Usually on Mondays.
How do I get to Sforza Castle?
Metro M1 to Cairoli, or a 15-minute walk from the Duomo along Via Dante.
Have you been? Was it worth your time?
1 — no, 5 — absolutely
Your vote counts towards the YesGo score.
Sources and fact-check
- English Wikipedia, Sforza Castle; Rondanini Pietà
- Official castle website milanocastello.it
Top YesGo picks: Milan
Milan Cathedral
Milan, Italy
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
Milan, Italy
San Siro Stadium
Milan, Italy
Santa Maria delle Grazie
Milan, Italy
Bosco Verticale
Milan, Italy
Piazza del Duomo
Milan, Italy
Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio
Milan, Italy
Lake Como
Milan, Italy