How to Visit Castello Sforzesco: Tips, Tickets, and Nearby Attractions

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Castello Sforzesco, with its rich history of wars, disputes, demolitions, reconstructions, restorations, and beautification, is today one of Milan’s must-see attractions. This iconic landmark, known in Italian as “Castello Sforzesco,” and often referred to as “Castello Sforza,” stands as a symbol of Milan’s power and resilience throughout the centuries.

Here you’ll find everything you need to plan your visit, from opening hours to ticket details, guided tours, and, of course, a section on history and interesting facts. Don’t forget to bookmark this page or share it with a friend who’s planning a trip to Milan in the coming months!

Book Your Tickets for Castello Sforzesco

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Tickets for Castello Sforzesco and its museums can be purchased online or directly at the museum ticket offices. If you’re planning a group tour, it’s recommended to reserve your tickets in advance through the official booking link to ensure availability.

CategoryPricesOnline Tickets
Adults€ 8.00buy here
Reduced Rate
(seniors 65+, EU citizens aged 18-25)
€6.00buy here
Children (ages 0-17)Freebuy here

Please note that tickets for Castello Sforzesco are non-refundable once purchased online at the official website. If you are organizing a group tour, make sure to use this official link for group reservations.

Alternatively, you can purchase tickets through other authorized resellers, such as Get Your Guide, which often include an audio guide to enhance your visit.

Get your Castello Sforzesco ticket now on Get Your Guide, with an audio guide and flexible cancellation!

The ticket office is open from Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM. For more information, please call (+39) 02.88463700.

Free Museum Entry

The museums offer free admission on the first Sunday of each month, as well as on the first and third Tuesday of each month from 2:00 PM.

The History of Castello Sforzesco

Much like the famous Milan Cathedral (the “Duomo”), the Castello Sforzesco is one of the city’s most beloved monuments. It symbolizes the power once wielded by the Lords of Milan and foreign conquerors.

The castle’s name is a tribute to Francesco Sforza, who in the 15th century decided to rebuild it. However, its origins date back even further, with its foundation laid in the second half of the 14th century by Galeazzo II Visconti.

Milan's Castello Sforzesco
Milan’s Castello Sforzesco

Over the centuries, the Castello Sforzesco has undergone ten significant phases, from its initial construction during the Visconti era, through demolitions, reconstructions, and various dominations including French, Spanish, and Austrian rule. It was also shaped by the Napoleonic conquest and subsequent Austrian restoration before finally emerging as a symbol of Italian culture in the 20th century, housing invaluable works of art.

How to Get to Castello Sforzesco

  • By Metro:
      – Red Line (MM1): Cairoli and Cadorna FN stations
      – Green Line (M2): Lanza and Cadorna FN stations
  • By Tram: Lines 1, 2, 4, 12, 14, 26
  • By Public Bus: Lines 50, 57, 58, 61, 94
  • By Tourist Bus: Various companies offer hop-on hop-off bus services with 24, 48, or 72-hour tickets and free audio guides. Some popular options include Sightseeing Experience and Milan Open Tour.

What to See at Castello Sforzesco

The Castello Sforzesco is strategically located between some of Milan’s most famous landmarks.

Summer at Castello Sforzesco

It’s just 850 meters (about a 12-minute walk) from the Cenacolo Vinciano, where Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper” is displayed.

From the castle, you’re also only 1 kilometer, or about a 15-minute walk, from the iconic Duomo di Milano. This makes it an ideal stop as you explore the city’s historic and cultural sites in a seamless route.

Whether you’re exploring the museums, wandering through its historic courtyards, or enjoying the surrounding gardens, the castle offers something for everyone at any time of the year.

Winter at Castello Sforzesco

Sempione Park

Surrounding the castle is Parco Sempione, a green oasis in the historic center of Milan. It’s a popular spot for locals who come to walk, cycle, or simply let their children play in the open air. If you plan to visit Parco Sempione, be sure to wear comfortable shoes—high heels aren’t exactly park-friendly!

The Castle Courtyards

The Castello Sforzesco features an area with external courtyards that are freely accessible to the public.

You can view a map highlighting the artworks displayed in the castle’s courtyard here:

The Museums of Castello Sforzesco

Inside the Castello Sforzesco, you’ll find several museums, including the Museum of Ancient Art, the Pinacoteca, the Museum of Furniture and Sculptures, the Museum of Musical Instruments, and the Egyptian Museum, among others. For a more detailed experience, consider taking a guided tour, which will not only delve into the castle’s fascinating history but also provide insights into the city of Milan itself.

Art enthusiasts should not miss the rooms adorned with frescoes by Leonardo da Vinci or Michelangelo Buonarroti’s Pietà Rondanini.

Highlighted Works at the Museums of Castello Sforzesco

The Pietà Rondanini by Michelangelo Buonarroti (1475-1564) is located on the ground floor of the Courtyard of Arms in the Michelangelo Museum at Castello Sforzesco.

This marble sculpture, measuring 196 x 70 x 73 cm, represents Michelangelo’s last, unfinished masterpiece, created between 1553 and 1564.

The Pietà Rondanini stands as a profound meditation on death and the salvation of the soul. In this work, Michelangelo moved away from the classical ideal of perfection, depicting Christ not as a heroic figure but as a symbol of deep suffering.

The positioning of Mary and Jesus, with their bodies at different heights, evokes multiple moments from Christ’s life, such as the deposition from the Cross, burial, and even resurrection, all captured in the tender embrace of his mother. Left incomplete due to Michelangelo’s death, this sculpture is a poignant reflection of the artist’s final years. Since May 2, 2015, the Pietà Rondanini has been displayed in the newly established museum space within the ancient Spanish Hospital of Castello Sforzesco.

In the Museum of Decorative Arts, located on the second floor of the Rocchetta at Castello Sforzesco, you will find Galileo Galilei’s Geometric and Military Compass in Room XXIX. This instrument, made of gilded copper in Padua in 1606, was designed by Galileo himself in 1597 and constructed by Marcantonio Mazzoleni. The compass, composed of two arms engraved with numerous “lines,” was used for over forty different geometric and arithmetic calculations, crucial for both civil and military purposes. It could function as a gunner’s quadrant, map scale tool, or for calculating exchange rates. Galileo published a treatise in 1606 detailing its uses, with only five of the original compasses known to exist today. Besides the one displayed in the Museum of Decorative Arts, the other examples can be found at the Museum of the History of Science in Florence, the Istituto Geografico Militare in Florence, the University of Pisa, and Cambridge, England.

In the Archaeological Museum situated in the Ducal Court’s underground level at Castello Sforzesco, the First Tomb of a Warrior from Sesto Calende (Varese), dating back to the late 7th century BC, is a significant highlight. This tomb, discovered accidentally in 1867, is thought to belong to a high-ranking individual, as suggested by the valuable grave goods found within. Among the artifacts are parts of a chariot, a pair of bits, a horse’s harness, a bronze helmet, a short iron sword, a spearhead, and a pair of archaic Greek bronze greaves. The chariot, of Greek origin, alongside the other items, reflects the exchange of power symbols between different cultures, indicating the warrior’s high status and the cultural interactions of the time. The varied origins of these objects suggest they were likely received as ceremonial gifts among leaders of various communities, offering a fascinating glimpse into the burial customs and societal structure of the period.

See the PDF linked below for more highlights:

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Barbara
I am a passionate adventurer and writer, with a love for exploring new cultures and sharing my experiences. After following my dreams to Italy in 2005, I met and married my Italian husband, and together we have two wonderful daughters who bring us joy. With a background in journalism and professional blogging, I am skilled in delivering engaging and accurate content. Having previously owned a travel agency, I have gained valuable insights into different destinations and cultures. I am thrilled to share my knowledge about Milan and beyond, providing unique perspectives on travel, culture, and lifestyle. You can also find my informative content in Portuguese on www.brasilnaitalia.net.

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