Sforza Castle in Milan was begun in the fourteenth century as a fortress of the Visconti family, who ruled the city, and it was heavily damaged during a short republican period in the fifteenth century. Francesco Sforza, who took power in 1450, rebuilt it as a ducal residence and a fortress, and his successors made it a centre of Renaissance court life. Leonardo da Vinci worked there for Duke Ludovico Sforza, and the architect Bramante is also associated with it. The castle later served as a military barracks and was restored in the late nineteenth century. Today it houses museums, which include Michelangelo's last sculpture, the Rondanini Pieta, and the surrounding park is one of Milan's main green spaces.
Before and after
- 10 January 1356Golden Bull of 1356
- from 1358 to 1918Archduchy of Austria
- from May 1358 to June 1358Jacquerie
- from 27 May 1358 to 31 January 1808Republic of Ragusa
- 1360Construction of Sforza Castle
- 27 July 1361Battle of Visby
- from 24 September 1362 to 25 December 1362Battle of Blue Waters
- 12 May 1364Founding of Jagiellonian University
- 12 March 1365Founding of University of Vienna
More in Civilizations & archaeology
- 691 CEConstruction of Dome of the Rock
- 8th centuryConstruction of Borobudur Temple
- 1066Construction of Tower of London
- from 1206 to 1368Mongol Empire
- 1239Construction of Alhambra
- 1473Construction of Sistine Chapel
The era
This moment belongs to the Medieval world (500 CE to 1500 CE), kingdoms, faiths and trade routes. You can also browse everything in the 14th century.