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Sforza Castle (Italian: Castello Sforzesco) is a name of residence of the dukes of Sforzesco dynasty in Milan and Vigevano. Milan's castle was originally built in the 14th century as the residence of the Visconti family, but it was ruined by the crowd of people after the establishment of the Ambrosian Republic. It was built by Francesco Sforza in the middle of the 15th century. In the beginning of the 16th century Leonardo da Vinci was engaged in its decorating. Only pergola and manuscript with literature experiments by Leonardo da Vinci were preserved until now.
Milan architects who worked on the building of the Moscow Kremlin followed the example of the Sforza Castle (the shape of towers and wall battlement). The central tower of the Milan castle ("tower of Filarete") was designed by Antonio Filarete, who worked with Aristotele Fioravanti.
At the beginning of Italian wars Ludovico Sforza left Milan, and Louis XII of France resided in Sforza Castle. Under the rule of his successor Francis the castle became neglected; in 1521 gunpowder warehouse in Filarete tower exploded after the lightning strike which is why it was ruined later. Spanish governor Ferrante Gonzaga decided to strengthen the city and built in the Sforza Castle in center of new Milan fortifications in the shape of star. Barracks for 2,000 soldiers were built in palace chambers. During the revolutionary wars Milan was once again captured by the French who were forced out of the city by A. V. Suvorov in April of 1799. After the return of the French, local patriots handed Napoleon a petition stating that Castello Sforzesco must share the destiny of Bastille as a symbol of the hated autocracy. Instead of ruining the castle Napoleon ordered to make a wide square in front of it. In 1833 Sforza Castle was totally renovated in romantic way, and even such items of medieval times as ditch around the castle were restored. The famous tower of Filarete was restored in 1900. Today Sforza Castle is a museum. There is almost nothing left from frescoes of Leonardo da Vinci in duke's residence, however, the room for games with ball and "elephant portico" are in a better condition now. The last unfinished sculpture of Michelangelo "Pieta Rondanini" as well as paintings of Mantegna, Giovanni Bellini, Filippino Lippi, Correggio and Pontormo, interesting collection of musical instruments can be found in the castle. Back to the Italy attractions list |
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