Castello Sforzesco
Sforza Castle (Italian: Castello Sforzesco) was built in the 15th century by Francesco Sforza, Duke of Milan, on the remnants of a 14th-century fortification. Later renovated and enlarged, in the 16th and 17th centuries it was one of the largest citadels in Europe. Extensively rebuilt in 1891–1905, it now houses several of the city's museums and art collections, it is now one of the biggest castles in Europe and one of the principal landmarks in the city.
It is square in shape with 4 square towers at the corners that allowed an easy exit route out of the city, in case people had to escape from enemies. It was an efficient defensive wall, as well. The wall, which once faced the countryside north to Milan, has square towers and has an ogival gate. This was once accessed through a drawbridge. The northern tower is known as Torre della Corte, while the western one is called 'Torre del Tesoro
The corner defended by the Torre Ducale is characterized by a loggia bridge, attributed to Bramante, and commissioned by Ludovico Sforza in the late 15th. century to connect the Corte Ducale (the court in the area used as ducal residence) and the Cortile della Ghirlanda. This ghirlanda refers to a wall, protected by a ditch filled by water of which few traces remain today, including the Porta del Soccorso.
Under Austrian domination, the Sforza castle was turned into military barracks, and neglect and decline prevailed. That’s why during the unification of Italy it was decided to demolish it. In 1895 the entire building was purchased by the Comune di Milano (Municipality of Milan) that carried out a long and complicated restoration, but in the end the castle regained its original splendour
In 1943 it was severely damaged after a bombardment, but a new renovation after World War II transformed it into the citadel of museums of Milan, place of history and memory of the entire city.