VIGEVANO CASTLE
The Visconti-Sforza castle can be considered a small town inside the town, being one of the largest fortified structures in Europe. The first centre goes back to the Longobard period (7th-10th century), whereas the latter part of the construction is due to the Viscontis and the Sforzas, who transfornmed the castle into their private residence.
At the construction of the castle have surely worked many important artists of the time, like Bramante and most probably also Leonardo da Vinci.
The present aspect is the result of lots of works and transformation starting from about 1300.
The castle was built in two important and consecutive stages, one under the Viscontis and the other under the Sforzas. The first was prompted by the podestà of Vigevano, Luchino Visconti. In 1341 he ordered the building of the "Rocca Vecchia" and in 1345 he instigated the building of the castle itself, the present "Maschio", which was quadrilateral in shape and had four angular towers. Two years later the Rocca Vecchia and the Maschio were linked by the "Strada coperta" (roofed road) a great raised and fortified throughfare, which extended across the town and made it possible to pass quickly form the castle to the open countryside beyond. It was a remarkable achievement, 164 metres long and 7 metres wide.
The castle is currently undergoing restoration work.
