Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
( 02 884 63 700;
www.milanocastello.it
;
Piazza Castello; 7am-7pm summer, to 6pm winter; Cairoli)
Ori-
ginally a Visconti fortress, this iconic red-brick castle was later home to the mighty Sforza
dynasty who ruled Renaissance Milan. The castle's defences were designed by the multi-
talented da Vinci; Napoleon later drained the moat and removed the drawbridges. Today,
it shelters seven specialised museums, which gather together intriguing fragments of Mil-
an's cultural and civic history, including Michelangelo's final work, the
Rondanini Pietà
.
CASEMUSEOCARD
The House Museum Card (€15;
www.casemuseomilano.it
) gives discounted access to Milan's four historic
houses: the Ba gatti Valsecchi palazzo, the Piero Portaluppi-designed Villa Necchi Campiglio and Boschi-di Ste-
fano apartment, and the 19th-century Poldi Pezzoli. Valid for six months, it also entitles the bearer to 10% off in
the museum bookshops. You can purchase the card at any of the houses.
»
Civiche Raccolta d'Arte Antica
Housed in the ducal apartments, the
Museum of Ancient Art
is a stellar collection. From paleo-
Christian frescoes to the fine equestrian tomb of Bernarbò Visconti and sculpted reliefs
depicting Milan's triumph over Barbarossa, the artworks tell the turbulent story of the
birth of Italy's first city
comune,
murderous dynastic and regional ambitions and lavish
artistic patronage, which made this one of Europe's finest courts.
»
Pinacoteca e Raccolte d'Arte
On the first floor the
Furniture Museum
and castle
Art Gallery
blend seamlessly, leading you
from Ducal wardrobes and writing desks through to a collection of Lombard Gothic art.
Among the masterpieces are Andrea Mantegna's
Trivulzio Madonna,
Vincenzo Foppa's St
Sebastian and Bramantino's
Noli me tangere
(Touch me not).
Parco Sempione
PARK
( 6.30am-nightfall; Cadorna, Cairoli)
Situated behind the Castello Sforzesco, Parco
Sempione was a resounding success, and even today Milanese of all ages come to enjoy
its winding paths, copses and ornamental ponds. Giò Ponti's spindly, 1933 steel tower
(built in two months for a Triennale exhibition) provides a fantastic 108m-high viewing
platform over the park. Take the lift up at sunset, or at night to watch city lights twinkle,
02 311817;
www.justcavallimilano.com
; Torre
8pm-2am Mon-Sun; underground rail Cadorna)
crowd below.
Branca;
