Just back from Milan and a visit to the magnificent Sforza
Castle. It was originally built by the
Visconti family in the fourteenth century, but when they fell from power in
1447, the Milanese people declared a republic and tore it down.
Three years later, with the new republic at war with
Venice, the great military commander, Francesco Sforza, took power, and rebuilt
the castle. The family established a
new dynasty, and employed Leonardo da Vinci as an artistic factotum, enabling
him to paint The Last Supper in the
city.
In the late 15th century, the French invaded Italy, and sparked off decades
of war. Louis XII drove out the
Sforzas and took over the castle. It
was still under French control in 1521 when lightning struck the Filarete Tower
(pictured), which was being used as a gunpowder store. The resulting explosion demolished the
tower, seriously damaged the castle walls and killed many people.
It was rebuilt by the last of the Sforzas, Francesco II, but
by the mid-19th century, the castle had fallen into such a poor
state of repair that some people wanted it demolished. Instead
a lengthy restoration project ensured that it survived.
And what a great restoration. A castle well worth visiting. There are so many galleries here that you could easily spend a day here.
ReplyDeleteAnd it's free, I think, until the end of August.
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