One of the most impressive sites in Milan is also one of the few free tourist attractions in Milan as well. Of course, the castle itself is free, but the museums are not, but with ticket prices around 3 Euros per person, it’s not much money well spent for a total of 7 museums and a rich collection of history.
Castello Sforzesco
Built centuries ago, the Castello Sforzesco has been home to both Italian dukes and foreign conquerors. The large castle dates back to sometime around 1350 and after serving as a home for the leaders of Milan, it became a center of culture in the early 19th century. Today it is home to astonishing architecture as well as seven different, distinct museums. You can easily spend a day wandering through Castello Sforzesco looking at the various restored details as well as the gardens before ever even wandering into the actual museums.
The Museums of Castello Sforzesco
When Castello Sforzesco was given over to the people of Milan in the 1900, the restorations were almost complete and the museums were opened so that the castle could become a major art center in the center of the city. Today Castello Sforzesco has seven museums to enjoy.
The Museum of Ancient Art – Located on the ground floor, this museum is home to any number of masterpieces and historical artifacts.
Pinacoteca – On the first floor of the Ducal Courtyard, the Pinacoteca has more than 230 works of art by Italian masters. Here you can find art by Mantegna, Antonello da Messina, Foppa, Cesare da Sesto, Procaccini and Cerano.
Furniture and Wooden Sculpture – On the first floor near the Ducal Courtyard, you’ll find a new layout featuring a beautiful collection of 21st century furniture as well as a nice assortment of wooden sculptures.
Collections of Applied Arts and Musical Instruments – Located on the second floor of the Rocchetta, the Collection of Applied Arts is also home to an assortment of musical instruments. Instruments are beautiful in their own right, but even more impressive when you consider the history of many of the items here.
Egypt Section – Part of the Archaeological Museum, a collection of Egyptian artifacts are found underground near the Ducal Courtyard.
Prehistoric Section – Underground near the Ducal Courtyard, this collection of prehistoric items includes items from the Neolithic, Bronze and Iron age.
Iconography of the City and Castle of Milan – A nice collection from the history of the castle as well as a reading room featuring “Achille Bertarelli” Print Collection. This portion of the museum is open only in the evenings.
