Sforza Castle

The Visconti built a fortress here in the 14th century, and Francesco Sforza rebuilt it from 1450 as a ducal residence. Leonardo worked for the court and painted the Sala delle Asse, a ceiling of interlaced branches. The tower over the main gate, the Filarete Tower, is an early-20th-century reconstruction.

The courtyards are open to walk through and link the city to Parco Sempione. Inside are several museums: ancient art, a picture gallery, furniture, musical instruments and, in its own hall, the Rondanini Pietà, the sculpture Michelangelo left unfinished when he died in 1564.