Vigevano: The Legacy of the Visconti-Sforza Castle
The Visconti-Sforza Castle, whose entrance is in the center Piazza Ducale, is a big reason why people like to visit Vigevano. It is one of the biggest fortified complexes in the Old Continent and bears the names of two of Italy’s most famous political families, the Visconti and the Sforza. The Visconti restored a fortress from the Lombard period (7th–10th century) and the Sforza turned it into a formal noble residence, with Luchino Visconti leading the way and Ludovico il Moro following suit.
The story
At the time, the project and its completion required the skills of great artists and builders like Donato Bramante and Leonardo da Vinci. In fact, the last pieces were finished between 1492 and 1494, which is an important year because it was that year that the New American Continent was discovered. The Sforza family’s actions had a lot to do with the Castle and eventually caused it to fall apart. As Spain took over and the events of the late 17th century led to the signing of the Peace of Vigevano, the Castle’s value slowly decreased until it was only used as a barracks for basic military tasks. But in 1968, the Municipal Administration saw its promise again and gave it the right honors by putting it up as a historical landmark of the town.
As the center of an interconnected architectural complex that covers more than 70,000 square meters, the castle is the most important building in the complex. On top of that, we need to add another 36,000 meters of courtyard, which is perfect for the concerts that famous artists put on every year. Based on the right measurements and sizes, it would be big enough to hold two Buckingham Palaces in London, three times the Basilica of St. Peter in Vatican City, and six times the Duomo in Milan. This area has a lot of room because it was designed to be both a defensive military grouping and a residence for nobles who were chosen to be the center of the court’s entertainment. With its military and symbolic functions, the Castle successfully predicts Renaissance customs that, in the future, fully embrace the logic of combining the functions listed above.
The Castle Today
In March 2003, the Municipality of Vigevano signed a contract that makes the Castello Visconteo Sforzesco an attraction and fully uses it. The impressive male and the old castrum, which the Visconti family worked to turn from a fort into a home, are just two of the many things to see and do at the Castello Visconteo Sforzesco. Within, the building is mostly made up of large halls, with the Sala dell’Affresco standing out. This is where tourists are drawn to a large painting that shows a landscape filled with fruit trees, animals, and royal figures. The three ducal stables that are lined up next to the Bramante Tower visually introduce the exploration of the unicum. The first stable is 94 meters long and 12 meters wide, and was built in 1490 to Ludovico il Moro’s exact specifications. It is divided into three parts by rows of monolithic columns in serizzo. The second stable is from 1473 and was designed by Galeazzo Maria Sforza. It has two floors—the ground floor is now used for temporary exhibitions, while the upper floor is home to the International Footwear Museum—and is built in a purely Gothic style. The third is made up of three naves and is supported by thin columns. It is home to the National Archaeological Museum of Lomellina and is connected to the Falconiera, so named because it was once a place where falcons were bred. The ground floor has large rooms with lunette vaults that push up to the top loggia with round arches. There are clear signs of Renaissance frescoes in this area. The Loggia with the same name, which Beatrice d’Este and her court maids often used, is still a symbol of the Palazzo delle Dame. The Duchess’s Garden and the tunnels below it were in the women’s wing.
The tour goes on with a look at the magnificent Cavallerizza, a beautiful building with a wooden truss roof that has been a horse riding school since 1811. Right now, it’s used to hold events, exhibitions, and demos. The covered road is another beautiful surprise that you can see. It is known as a unique example of European castle construction and a great example of military ingenuity in the Middle Ages. Really amazing when you think about how big it is: 167 meters long, 7 meters wide, and 10 meters of height difference between the keep and the original part of the Rocca Vecchia. When Luchino Visconti built it in 1347, it was used as a secret passageway with private entrances and exits, as well as an easy way to get out of trouble in an instant. Lastly, the underground roads go from Piazza Ducale to the moat of the castle and the Cavallerizza. They do this by going through higher floors. Since they were recently fixed up, these two amazing tunnels can now be used. The castle now offers tours that let people see the different parts of the foundations, like the horse stables and the room that used to be an ice house, in all their glory. The two roads are split in half by social events.
You can get to the house in a number of different ways. The stairs under the porticoes of Piazza Ducale is the most well-known. At the corner of Via del Popolo, Via Rocca Vecchia, and Via XX Settembre is C.so Repubblica, which is another entry point.
How to get there
If you’re traveling by car, the western ring road and then the SS 494 are what you need to do from Milan. The A4 and the Novara Est exit are for people coming from Turin, and the Gropello Cairoli exit is for people coming from Genoa.
Through the train, take the line that goes from Milan to Mortara. It stops at Vigevano station. You can fly to Milan Malpensa Airport, which is only 35 km from Vigevano.
Visiting the Castello Visconteo Sforzesco
If you’re in Vietnam, go to Piazza Ducale, 20. When: It’s open all year. From Tuesday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., and from August 29th to the end of October, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Every Saturday, Sunday, and holiday, the store is open from 10:30 am to 1:00 pm and from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm. The hours are from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Tuesday through Friday, and from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Saturday, Sunday, and holidays, and from 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. This is how you book: call 0381/691636 or email [email protected]. It costs €5.00 for a full visit that lasts about an hour, €2.00 for a shorter visit, and €1.00 for students. Possible trips with a guide
