Events in Milan and surroundings: detail
From May 25 2010 to May 24 2011
The Milan's Sforza Castel
In the 14th Century the huge defense castle was built by Galeazzo Visconti II. The oldest section, called "Porta Giovia, was built from 1360 to 1370 along the medieval city wall. The work was continued by the following generations (Gian Galeazzo and Filippo Maria) so the Castle was completed by walls and 4 towers.
Francesco Sforza, General and husband of Bianca Maria Visconti, daughter of the Duke of Milan, Filippo Maria Visconti, became patron the castle 1450 and began with expansion work.
The architect Filarete constructed a 70 m high clock tower (Torre del Filarete) in the middle of the facade of the main portal. Through the gate you reach the courtyard, which in the past served as a parade ground. On both sides of the courtyard are gates with drawbridges.
The castel is open daily from
7.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. (in winter) and 7.00 a.m. - 7.00 p.m. (in summer),
free admission (except for castle museums).
Leonardo da Vinci served from 1482 - 1499 at the Castle in Milan under the Duke Ludovico, called ?il Moro?. He designed court festivals, and created many of sketches in the in the reign house. In the 17 years of his work for the Duke Leonardo completed important paintings (Last Supper, Virgin of the Rocks), but he left many projects (paintings, sculptures) unfinished.
During this period Leonardo also dealt with the expansion of the system of the Milan?s channels ?Navigli? and the construction of locks, and furthermore with the exploration of the human body.
Ludovico il Moro was married with Beatrice d'Este and after their death Ludovico il Moro let decorate the private room "Sala delle Asse" on the ground floor of the Torre Falconiera (Museum of Ancient Art in the ground floor of the Corte Ducale) by Leonardo da Vinci. The ceiling fresco was painted by Leonardo around 1498, deciduous trees with branches, which are interweaved
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