Sforzesco Castle

It’s a nice place to visit, but nothing particularly special. The castle looks quite impressive from the outside — I especially liked the front view — but the inside didn’t stand out as much. Overall, it’s worth a quick stop if you’re nearby. An interesting place to see, especially from the outside. It has a beautiful courtyard, and the architectural details on the buildings are spot on. You can walk around freely and take in the atmosphere. Definitely worth a visit while in Milan. Market on the left side was very big and with so many things to see,and try italian cheese and meat. Many souvenirs at all,and italian beer. Cheers !!

Really great walk even if you don’t visit the castle itself. Lots of different areas, I liked the fountain and the park the most as was a good walk in the Milan weather. It does get very busy though so watch out for any pickpockets but besides that great attraction to see.

We walked in the courtyards and the park behind the castle in early january. It has a nice park, clean and free public bathrooms, the castle is huge and impressive. We did not visit inside. It is right next to the Cadorna station where you have access to metro and to the malpensa express train. It is a nice area and I would recommend walking here if you have spare time or you are nearby.

Amazing, a must-visit touristic location in Milan! Very close to Duomo, by walk 25 mins. The castle is huge, and consists of many parts adjacent to each other. There is a museum, restaurant/bar and social spaces within the premises. It is a typical Italian architecture I can say, surrounded by gardens and monuments on each corner at the Castello Sforzesco. The Castle opens to a market, I visited on the weekend so you can chill, eat and do shopping. If you walk a bit more, Sempione Park is in front of you, taking you towards Arco della Pace. Recommended to spend couple of hours in this area!

Went here at around 16.00 with my boyfriend, it’s already dark and to go inside the castle is almost closed so we just spend an hour around the palace field and garden and it was Beautifuuuuuuuuul! They have a lot of information board with stories about the castles! Very interesting (and one tips is to bring your AI friends to ask them about everything you’ve been curious about) there are so many magnificent remains even outside the castle! Would love to come here again maybe in the morning to really explore inside 🤓

On a recent trip to Milan, we had the pleasure of visiting Castello Sforzesco and absolutely loved exploring this historic treasure. Admission is free, and you can walk around the grounds to enjoy the beautiful landscape and gardens. There are clean washrooms and even a few food trucks inside the premises where you can grab a drink or snacks. This castle is wonderful for visitors of all ages and is quite picturesque, perfect for some lovely Instagram photos. You’ll need about 1–2 hours to stroll around and take in the surroundings, though you can certainly stay longer and relax in the peaceful gardens.

Beautiful place and free to explore. Walk through. I think you need a ticket for different parts and if you want a guided tour. I explored on my own which was completely fine for me. There are lots of maps and historic plaques in both Italian and English, which were both informative and interesting to digest. Good place to visit!

A small castle turned into a museum and tourist site.. an ok experience but don't expect the full castle experience..it's basically a walk through experience. The museum price was well worth the €5. There was no wait but we visited in December which is not the prime season.

Milan is known for quite a few things: The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci, the Duomo, the fashion capital of the world, and more. Castello Sforzesco, while it doesn't get as much hype, is on par with the aforementioned attractions. It's a must-visit while in Milan! We saw the castle as part of a tour which did a gross injustice because the tour guide only spent about 20 minutes at the attraction. We ended up skipping the rest of the tour to spend more time at Sforzesco. Located in the heart of Milan, Castello Sforzesco is one of the largest castles in Europe. It's free to enter. Once you do, marvel at the medieval architecture. You can also check out the park adjacent to the castle where you'll find a large statue of Napoleon along with other goodies. While entering the castle is free, you have to pay to see the various museums inside the castle. The most prominent is the one that features Michaelangelo's Pieta. The famous artist's last work, although unfinished, is one of his most notable works. Beyond this museum, there's plenty more to visit. We spent three hours or so at the castle and didn't have time to visit everything before it closed. Make sure to make it part of your Milan itinerary!

The Castello Sforzesco is located just outside the historical centre of Milan, built on the ruins of a previous medieval fortress, which was commissioned by Francesco Sforza, the Lord of the city at that time. It has diversified its function in the artistic and cultural panorama of the city, which houses a beautiful Art Gallery, the Archaeological Museum, various exhibitions, libraries and archives. The entrance to the Sforza Castle is free, and you'll need to pay for the museum entrance fee, and according to the website there's free museum days each month. Overall, I recommend visiting the castle and the museum, and make sure to equip with comfortable shoes and be prepared to walk a lot.

When reading up on tips for places to check out in Milan, Castello Sforzesco popped up as a destination with multiple museums so I added it as a stop in my itinerary. Upon reaching it in person the proportions and grandeur of the castle fortifications really blew me away! Sitting along the southeastern edge of Parco Sempione, this imposing structure dominates the entire side of the park. Approaching from Sforzesco Plaza, you can't miss the fountain in front of a massive red brick wall with main front gate tower and stout 6-story tall turrets on each wall corner. Visiting the castle grounds is free and on a sunny afternoon in April it felt like half of Milan was here. Tourists and locals alike, checking out the views, walking dogs, taking the family for a stroll, setting up a picnic on park grounds surrounding the castle--you name it there were tons of people doing it. Even then, the inside courtyards of the castle were huge and from above people looked like little ants in a terrarium. The only place it got uncomfortably crowded was in a couple of the narrower gate corridors leading thru the center of the castle to the rest of Parco Sempione to the west, a couple spots where due to the crowds, walkways normally wide enough for 5-6 people to walk comfortably side by side felt cramped. Other than that pretty easy to navigate. The layout of museums inside the castle are rather confusing, they could certainly do a better job of explaining how this works. It's actually a series of museums all connected inside, with the starting point entrance to the total complex at the Museo Archeologico Sezione Preistoria e Protostoria (archeological museum). This is where the main ticket counter, small lobby and downstairs locker area are located. They require jackets and any bag larger than a small purse to be held in a locker. It's free to use them--if you don't have a one Euro coin (used to trigger the lock mechanism, returned to you upon unlocking the locker), they can give you a fake "coin" at the ticket counter. Once you enter the archaeological museum, the flow of exhibition continues in one direction and at the "end" of each smaller museum, you have the choice of exiting or continuing on to the following museum. The exhibitions get more extensive as they progress so unless you have a clear idea of what you are there to see you can basically spend a couple entire days here if you go very slowly. Archeological works, medieval art, decorative arts, instruments, ceramics, etc) In 3 hours I basically took my time in about 40% of it then rushed thru the last 60% prior to them closing. It's hard to tell how far along you are in the total floor plan since the path of where each smaller museum is in relation to the others isn't super apparent. Also the museum staff are super militant about not backtracking in the museums which made it harder bc again you have no idea how far along you are. Bathrooms are available though you may need to ask since directions are not super apparent. Usually there were signs towards the end of each smaller museum. Also not a whole lot of places to sit down and rest within each exhibit. My feet hurt towards the end and kinda just had to deal with it. Easily accessible via public transport--nearest metro stops are Cairoli, Lanza and S. Ambrogio. A lot of buses also stop nearby.

This is a must visit when in Milano, just like the Duomo. The Castello Sforzesco is a castle right in the center of Milano, built in the 15th century by Francesco Sforza, at that time Duca (Duke) di Milano. You can walk to it from the fancy downtown area (Duomo, La Scala Theater, Via Montenapoleone etc) and vice versa. If using public transportation the line M2 takes to Lanza (a quiet and nice residential neighborhood) or take M1 to Cairoli. Another good idea is to pair a visit to the Castello with Parco Sempione, one of the most beautiful city parks in Italy, that's really worth strolling around to relax a little or sit on a bench to rest your feet. The Castello is a museum and there are many areas to visit inside and outside. We didn't have the time to wait in line to go inside, so we visited the perimeter and the courts, still a very nice visit and you can feel history upon you. Definitely next time we will arrange a visit to the interior rooms.

A must with the Duomo when you visit Milan. I walked with my tour guide and the history is amazing. Wanted to see the last piece of Michaelangelo and some of his last work on the ceilings. Wasn't able to see all exhibits and will plan the next time I am back.

Built by Francesco Sforza, the Duke of Milan in the 15th century, Castello Sforzesco otherwise known as Sforza Castle, is a stunning medieval citadel, which is one of the largest in Europe and also home to some of the last works of Michelangelo, It's so cool to see a medieval castle right in the centre of a large, modern city in Milan, which is bold, stunning and stands out as a landmark you can see throughout the city and along the shopping streets. You can walk through and reach the equally stunning Sempione Park, enjoying the beauty of the greenery and the building for free, making this a must-do attraction while visiting the city of Milan. It can get quite busy and touristy at times, as expected but remains reasonably comfortable to pass through. There are museums within the castle, which could be worth checking out, I do feel more promotion of the museums and clearer guidance on what to expect from what museum, pricing and entrances could be a welcomed improvement as it would be easy to disregard them completely. There is a small covered area with a bench inside, great for a quick break when strolling through, but seating is very limited. 4*

Even if you're not interested in history, you can't help but being in awe when you see this medieval castle. It was constructed and re-constructed from 1360 to 1499 and was in use until 1862. It's a huge, imposing and impressive fortress. The entrance to the gardens and walk around the castle is always free. The inside of the castle (hosting a museum and various exhibitions) instead is free only on certain days of the month; however, the entrance fee is not expensive at all. Unfortunately we didn't have time to visit the museum and the exhibitions when we were in Milan recently, but I look forward to going back hopefully soon!

I got to see this place as part of a walking tour of Milan. We were able to see the outside as well as the courtyard area. Admission to the inside was not included so I did not get to see everything. This is an impressive structure with much history and many tenants. The architecture evolved over time and fell into enemy hands a few times. The Milanese have accepted this structure after the unification of Italy. It looks like a castle but was basically a fortress and the Dukes and Duchesses of Milan spend many years here.

My husband and I accidentally found this castle while looking for things to do in Milan. It's beautiful and another pitstop I highly recommend when you're visiting Milan. It's walking distance or a short train ride to most anything.

I decided to walk around to visit the vendors. It is free to the walkthrough and enjoy the architecture. It 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.

I loved the fortress. So much history of construction, demolition, reconstruction thanks to seemingly endless wars of Milano. The museum collections are small, but interesting. Michelangelo's last work is here. €zero - Corona Virus discount

This was the start of our walking tour and the castle does have a lot of great architecture and features that makes it unique. We didn't spend a lot of time there but I was able to get a few pictures of the pieces that stood out to me.

This is a nice castle, based on the remains of a 14th-century fortification. Renovated and enlarged in the 16th and 17th centuries and the again rebuilt from 1891-1905. It is an impressive sight, surrounded with wonderful well-preserved walls. Inside is a huge area with several museums. Parts are open to public, while for other parts you need to pay an entrance fee. Some of the most memorable parts are surely the impressive The Filarete Tower and the Round Tower. In the back (coming from the south), there is an real big garden, actually more of a park with less visitors. Nice for a stroll on a sunny day in fall / autumn. Even if you won't go fully inside, it's surely one of the must-do's here in Milano and a nice walk around the walls and the park.

Beautiful castle Inexpensive tour($5pp) Worth the time with reasonable water and snacks

The Sforza Castle was built by Francesco Sforza the Duke of Milan. The castle was built on foundations of a fort. The Torre delle Filarete is great. There's several museums in the castle now. A library in the castle has Leonardo's codex. The Pinacoteca has some masterpieces.

A beautiful museum that is reasonably priced! Make sure you are wearing comfortable shoes because this is a large walking museum. If you love architecture or history then you will love this museum! The water fountain in front of the castello is a popular space to sit or pose for photos, especially during the summer heat!

We were blown away by the Sforzesco castle. The castle is so expansive that you can spend hours just exploring the grounds! There is a ton of interesting information that goes into the history of the castle and different language options available for you to read through. exploring the outside of the castle is free, while it is additional to check out the museum portion, which I highly recommend. We were able to explore the inside of the castle, where different exhibits were held, such as their ancient statues, art gallery, instruments, and more, and even then did not see everything! We spent probably about 4-5 hours here, which zoomed by because everything was so interesting. They sell a three day tourist museum pass, which was only 12 euros and gives you unlimited access to 12 museums! We were definitely onboard as there were several museums we are looking to check out. Sforzesco has been my favorite museum/building I've ever been to due to how beautiful the building is and the amount of history and information you learn and see along the way. There is also a great cafe inside the castle that you can get coffees, treats, lunch when you get a little hungry!

What a castle, it's enormous and it has a lot of floors full of exhibitions. I was impressive by the tapestry and the Leonardo exposition. The interior patio that people love to photograph was occupied by a fair, it's empty on weekdays.

A castle in Milan? I must say, I was surprised! Throughout history, the castello has been used as a home by the archbishop, as a fortress to defend Milan against the Venetians and residence of the Duke. Now, it houses several museums and is a nice place for a stroll as the castle grounds are well kept. Just watch out for the very aggressive street vendors outside by the fountains! Metro stop: Cardona - Cairoli

It just seems small for the outside but when you get in you see on of the gems of Milan! It's in the center and close to everything. It's definitely worth a visit to be in the castle visit in the museum and in a beautiful day outside you can visit in the park.

"Whoa, there's a medieval castle in the middle of this modern city?" Even in the midst of the modern Milan, the tall imposing Castello Sforzesco is a standing reminder of this city's medieval past. Formerly the ruling bastion for the Dukes of Milan, the castle is now a favorite public park and a grand museum that holds an impressively large collection of various artworks! The castle museum is so large that you can probably spend a whole day inside! Here, you will find many pieces of various eras and countries including ancient Egypt and Renaissance Italy. However, out of all the pieces, perhaps the most notable is the seemingly unremarkable sculpture that is obviously incomplete and yet hints a master craftsmanship: Michelangelo's Rondanini Pieta, the master artist's final piece before his death. Michelangelo tried to complete this sculpture in time to place upon his tomb, but sadly he perished before he can finish. Yet, the Pieta continues to show his masterful skill in telling a lively story through a static statue. To fully appreciate it, take a stroll side-to-side in front of this statue! Can you see that from a certain angle, the Virgin appears to supporting the limping corpse of Christ in an unusual take of the Pieta? But take another angle, and you may see perhaps a display of Assumption as the risen Christ holds up the Virgin. In fact, if you have time to only go to one portion of the castle museum, I believe the Pieta mini-museum is it! Whether you want to go to the museum or not though, you should mark this Castello as a destination as you explore Milan! The castle ground is free, and even the museum is free in the hour before closing. Castello Sforzesco is certainly an impressive Milano landmark that is worth checking out. --- tl;dr version: 1) Imposing medieval castle in the midst of the modern city 2) Large castle museum with Michelangelo's final work 3) Worth checking out even if you don't intend to see the museum

We were traveling through Italy with two teenage boys and, to be expected, they didn't always appreciate the historical, cultural or artistic significance of some of the places we visited. This was not true of the Castello Sforzesco however. Why? Because it's a castle. What teenage boy wouldn't love wandering through a real-life castle? They had a great time wandering the grounds, imaging life in the 15th and 16th centuries. The Castello also houses numerous museums (for the art and history lovers in our group). We spent half the day here and had a great time. The only negative were the street vendors out front. They're persistent, but if you've spent any amount of time traveling through Italy (or other parts of Europe for that matter) like we have, you come to expect them and learn quickly to ignore them.

I really lucked out with these museums, arriving around 5:30 and discovering that you get free tickets that enable you to checkout ALL the museums in the castle, for free, from 6:30 (so free for 1 hour before closing - what a brilliant idea!) but the free tickets are limited, so be sure to be at the ticket office as close to 6:30pm as possible. I just did the highlights - spent some time checking out Michelangelo's Last unfinished sculpture which is gorgeously displayed, all by itself in one space and u can get pretty up close to see finished as well as unfinished elements. The museum also has Michelangelo's death mask and the original alter on which the sculpture was displayed (this is located in one of the minor rooms that branch away from the main hall where the Pieta Rondanini is kept). It was funny reading that one of the previous owners kept the statue locked away in a cupboard in his library, but that probably helped preserve its current gorgeousness. After that, just headed straight to Salle 8, where Da Vinci's chamber is being restored. I missed the beginning of the film explaining about its discovery, but at the end, the lights come on and all the mulberry leaves are displayed in their glory. The info desk also recommended going to the 1st floor to check out the portraits, but I ran out of time and beside, need to save something to see for next time! PS -make sure checking these out is def in your itinerary when visiting Milan!

Milan can be a bit of a concrete jungle. After a couple of weeks of living here, I was starting to get frustrated by the lack of green space in the city. Somehow, I'd managed to miss the incredible Castello Sforzesco and the accompanying garden behind it. Once I finally made my way over here, I probably looked so confused and that's because I was. How had I miss this beautiful castle and park all this time? It was like being in a new city, honestly. Walking through the castle is free so if you're on a budget, you can walk through it and admire the courtyards and architecture. You can then pay to go inside the museum but I think the best part of this castle is the gardens that follow it. I've compared the gardens to Central Park in NY more than once. Though they're not nearly as big and maybe not as nice, they gave me that same feeling of breaking away from the concrete jungle and getting lost in little paths, ponds and ducklings running around. More than once I brought a picnic and just sat on the grassy enjoying the people walking around me and breathing in as much natural air as one can in the city of Milan. Go visit the castle when you're in Milan and give yourself time to just enjoy the grounds. That'll be the best way to end your Milan visit.

This is a great way to spend €5! Castello Sorzesco is beautiful, with tons to see. As my husband opined, "It's like AM/PM!" [too much good stuff]. There are tons of different sections--musical instruments, decorative arts, a ceiling by da Vinci, portraits, and, off on its own, Michelangelo's last (unfinished) sculpture, Rondanini Pietà. It's neat to see, but it does feel like they're forcing some sort of religious experience on you--the sculpture is in a room on its own, with a set of pews behind it so you can sit and contemplate it, with all sorts of lighting, and ethereal choir music playing in the background. Watch out for the dozens (hundreds?) of cats roaming the grounds. Give yourself plenty of time to explore--the volume of stuff to see can be overwhelming!

Call ahead and ask for schedule. Got there a couple of hours before closing after calling to confirm, but they closed ticket sales without notice (smh). Got to walk around on a scorching summer day. Trees behind the castle provide shade. I can't really provide a yey or ney as I didn't get to tour inside :(

Interesting castle but the park that is adjacent was a little boring. We didn't go inside the museum, just walked leisurely through it. Nice courtyard area for events and a small garden. Not too many tourists which was nice. Great architecture! The fountain in front is beautiful!

This is one of the Top 5 things you should see and do in Milan. The castle, fountain, and grounds are amazing enough just from the outside. You can also tour the back grounds for free and stroll through the gardens and the sites beyond the castle walls. This alone would be a nice Italian experience. Of course, the castle also holds Michaelangelo's final sculpture, the Pieta. This and the other paid museum works are also worth a visit.

sforza castle in milan is quite a sight...the citadel is massive and well-kept...perfect photo opportunity from any direction...multiple entrances and the housing numerous museums of music, art, antiques and more...massive towers, drawbridge, fountain and walls...outside is surrounded by a massive park....endless paths to explore and some unique sights...photography is popular inside and outside the castle...wedding photos and tourists snapping away....castle courtyard and outside is free to explore, but the museums have small entrance fees...

Michelangelo's last sculpture before he died - unfinished but still beautiful. The rooms are just amazing but the ceiling painted by DaVinci is the highlight. All in all, it really is a great stop. Early musical instruments, early furniture, not to mention that you're walking through an honest to goodness castle for only 3 euros!

Over the years, the castle has been home to each of the occupying forces in Milan. This has given it a negative image of tyranny to the citizens of Milan. As a sign of freedom, it has been turned into art museums and a public park. Most of the structure has been retained, but if you look closely at the walls you can see where modern brick and concrete has been used to rebuilt crumbling pieces. It's amazing to see such beautiful flowers & extensive art exhibits shown in a place that has stood for terror for so many years. What an amazing job the people of Milan have done in turning it around! Its free to just walk around in or you can buy tickets to the varies museums. There is a little cafe as well if you want to make a day of it.

I came here thinking we would be able to see Da Vinci's work, but the section was closed. Disappointed, we walk around the rest of the museum, but overtly religious art isn't my style. Ended up walking around looking for the statues but got tired before we got there. Overall, a little disappointed, but the castle itself was ok.

During our short Milan visit we assigned the last day (after Duomo, Galleria and Lake Como) to check out two landmark attractions (this famous castle along with the Church of Santa Maria di Grazie) in close proximity west of downtown not too far from the Cadorna train station, accessible by M1 metro. It's an impressive sight walking up to this massive 600-year old fortress with imposing looking towers. Once we entered the walled grounds we found a huge square in the center. The more we explored the more it seemed like a maze packed with many exhibits and museums on disparate subjects like armory, furniture, wooden sculpture, decorative arts, musical instruments. Our first stop was the Michelangelo Pieta Rondanini Museum. It soon became obvious that the hour we had allocated would be totally insufficient to do it justice. Then rain started falling which made the whole experience overwhelming. It would have been great if we had more time and familiarity with the language.

What could i say about my wonderfuly Sforza Castle that has NOT already been said in countless other reviews? Once upon a time, Milan was within these walls and all around was just the enemy... the castle was built as such that it could be lived in during peaceful times as well as under siege... to the viewer to guess (i am sure ya'll have no trouble figuring it all out) which part belongs to what... This little gem of Milanese history is still amazingly well preseved (it survived WW2 bombardments, countless wars and quite a few conquerors pillaging its countless treasures)... though it may never stand the comparison with the Loire or German Castles, my beloved Castle is an amazing sight worth spending a few hours to visit... the admitting fees is within everyone's reach, your kids won't fuss because it is NOTHING like the Uffizi or the Vatican museums... but mention the torture chamber and you won't have the time to keep up with your newfound speedy gonzales... Should i mention the amazing park that opens up on the back of the castle? Parco sempione is amazing from spring to fall... perfect for your urbam picnic, hearing percussions in to the distance as well as smiling at couples not afraid of Public Display of Affection. Only negative side? The gates close early... 6PM.... which makes forces you to walk around the castle and not through to reach Cairoli from the Park...

Hugeeee castle! We got here by train and a 10 minute walk to this castle. There's music and entertainment at the front entrance. There's also hustlers who dress up in medieval outfits who tries to take pictures with you for a price don't get sucked in! There is a big park by the back entrance and a 20 minute walk into Chinatown.

What a stunning place especially at night when the fountains in front are lit up and creates a magical and romantic experience! If you like art like I do, I spent half the day here admiring the grounds and then the works of art! I strolled around the area for 30 minutes and I imagined what it was like back 1400s when there was still a moat around it. I'm pretty sure it wasn't as glamorous as it is today but it's still spectacular to see something like this still standing amid all the traffic and craziness. There's so much art in this castle and it was such a whirlwind to see so much! I truly, truly love this place!

The castle is located close to MM Cairoli station. Very easy to get here. Other transportation: Tram 1 or BikeMi for rent in the nearby. You can visit the castle and the inside museum for a small price. The museum offers an overview of ancient art and instruments. It takes about 2 hours to tour. Recommended!

You cannot miss this in Milan. If you have time and you are looking for relax you could have even a nice walk in the park.

Lucky us! Since it was Women's Day - the Sforza Castle was offering free entry for all Women. So we took advantage and hit the museum. (FYI - tickets are only 3 Euro normally, so not pricey) There is A LOT to see, so plan a few hours and take it slow. Unfortunately, we ran out of time when I got hit with food poisoning, but what we saw of it was beautiful. There are lots of ancient artifacts, paintings, musical instruments, furniture, etc. It's also easy walking distance from the Duomo. So, definitely check it out if you are in Milan!

This magnificent castle is very near to the Duomo in the centre of Milan. The Dukes of Milan used to live here but today it contains several museums including the Museum of Ancient Art. Here you can see the famous Pietà Rondanini by Michelangelo - probably the most famous sculpture of all, plus many superb paintings and other works of art. There is also an Archaeological Museum and a Museum of Music Instruments, also well worth a visit.

I was surprised at how beautiful this building is in real life, pictures just don't seem to do it justice. Its huge and really tall, and when we were there, it was covered in christmas lights. It is really easy to get to, not far from the Duomo and the public transport in Milan is brilliant and so easy to use. You do need to cross a fairly busy road to get to it though. While we were in Milan it was quite snowy and the wonderful big fountain out the front of the castle was frozen over, along with a lot of the footpath, so watch your step! Definitely worth a visit, I just wish I had had more time to explore it more thoroughly.

We walked around the outside and grounds inside the castle and it was definitely worth it and free. There was also some bizarre (but cute) brightly colored sparrows that were huge - good for random pictures. There was also a great fair set up outside where were able to grab lunch to enjoy. At the castle (expect a modest fortress not expansive fairy tale type) we walked around the moat and counted the feral cats. I have to admit the cats became a game and quite entertaining. The grounds are large and perfect for people watching. We then caught a nearby train back to the Central Milan train station.

the fortifications of the castello sforzesco originated in the middle of the 14c - however it has been rebuilt in various shapes/formations - in the 16c a star-shaped outer wall was added to ensure the structure was impregnable - various towers/moats/walls/courtyards were added until it became like a fortress inside a fortress - including work by bramante and da vinci - being used at various times as a palace and as a military base in the 18c by napoleon - finally at the end of the 19c it took on its current cultural format housing art galleries (paintings by canaletto, mantegna, bellini, lippi, titian, tintoretto) museums (neolithic, bronze, iron age) and library (da vinci manuscripts) - also used as a venue for concerts/conferences castle open daily from 07.00 / museum from 09.00 (but closed monday as are most tourist attractions in milan) - large castle gardens adjoining

This magnificent castle is very near to the centre of Milan.It contains several museums including the Museum of Ancient Art. Here you can see the famous Pietà Rondanini by Michelangelo - probably the most famous sculpture of all, plus many superb paintings and other works of art. Well worth a visit.