Passing under the grand clock tower of the Sforza Castle feels like entering a massive, red-brick medieval fortress in the middle of a modern metropolis. Built in the 15th century by Francesco Sforza, Duke of Milan, this sprawling palace complex holds multiple museums, courtyards, and art treasures. Walking through the quiet interior courtyards reveals the sheer scale of the defense systems that once protected Milanese rulers.
Directly behind the castle, the fort's former parade grounds have been transformed into Sempione Park, a lush English-style park featuring winding lakes, shady meadows, and the grand, neoclassical Peace Arch (Arco della Pace).
One fun fact people love:
Leonardo da Vinci lived and worked in the Sforza Castle for years, painting a spectacular ceiling in the Sala delle Asse featuring a dense forest of interlocking tree branches.
Where in Milan is it?
Located in central Milan, at the Piazza Castello.
How to reach:
Take Metro Line 1 directly to the Cairoli Castello station situated at the castle entrance.
Best time to visit:
Spring or autumn when the park’s foliage is colorful and comfortable for walking.
Best time of day:
Late morning around 10:30 AM to explore the castle before enjoying a lunchtime stroll in the park.
Entry fee:
Free to walk the castle grounds and Sempione Park; museum exhibition tickets cost approximately €5 per adult.
Commute difficulty:
Easy; flat walking trails across paved courtyards and park grasslands.
Things nobody tells you about this place:
- The castle grounds are a public thoroughfare and completely free to walk through without buying a ticket.
- Look out for the large colony of wild green parakeets nesting in the tall canopy of Sempione Park's trees.
- The park's Peace Arch at the far end is perfectly aligned with the Simplon Pass road to Paris, built under Napoleon.