In the second half of the 15th century, in addition to the stately homes in the city, the buildings in the countryside that had military garrison functions also changed their appearance: the castles.
In fact, the castle lost its military character when its functions changed, becoming less defensive and more prestigious representation. compared to the city palace, the residence of the bourgeois classes, the castle remained the place of residence of the aristocracy, which, however, changed its role in Renaissance society and saw its defensive function towards the people disappear.

Here are the 15th-century fortresses and castles in Italy that have survived to the present day and can still be visited.

15TH-CENTURY CASTLES IN ITALY

Castello Sforzesco Milano

SFORZESCO CASTLE OF MILAN

The construction of the Castello Sforzesco in Milan began between 1368 and 1370 at the behest of Galeazzo II Visconti, continued under his successor Gian Galeazzo and finally completed by Filippo Maria Visconti, to be renovated by Francesco Sforza from 1452.
In the Renaissance, the Castle’s original function as a military garrison was transformed to become the refined seat of the ducal court of Milan.
While the Castello Sforzesco still appears to us today as a fortress, its decorations, especially of the interiors, mark the building’s definitive conversion into a place of representation.

It was Ludovico il Moro who initiated a massive renovation campaign of the interiors. Thanks also to the intervention of artists such as Bramante and Leonardo, Castello Sforzesco became the building through which the lord of Milan could represent his role and power.
Probably the most important masterpiece is the fake pergola in the Sala delle Asse, created by Leonardo da Vinci, in which the enigmatic fresco depicting intertwining plants with fruit and monochromes of roots and rocks was intended to amaze illustrious visitors.

To visit the Castello Sforzesco in Milan, I advise you to book to reserve your entrance and organise a visit without wasting time.

Rocca di Sassocorvaro

FORTRESS OF SASSOCORVARO IN MONTEFELTRO

Montefeltro is the geographical area in central Italy that corresponds to the current province of Pesaro-Urbino in the Marche, the Republic of San Marino and a small part of Emilia and Tuscany.
In this territory stands the Fortress of Sassocorvaro, built between 1476 and 1478 at the behest of Ottaviano degli Ubaldini della Carda, half-brother of Duke Federico da Montefeltro.

The fortress has a very original plan in the shape of a tortoise and designed according to strict geometry. The walls are imposing and feature cylindrical towers with a defensive function, which the architect Francesco di Giorgio designed with numerous studies.
While the defensive structure of the fortress is clearly visible, the architect created a structure akin to the patron’s passion for culture. Ottaviano degli Ubaldini della Carda was indeed a lover of philosophy, astrology and alchemical practices, and the tortoise shape of the fortress is significant of these passions. Indeed, the tortoise is an allegorical animal symbolising strength and endurance, but it also represents the Universe since the carapace represents Heaven and the flat belly the Earth.

To find out how to visit the Rocca di Sassocorvaro, I recommend you take a look at the official website, which contains information on opening hours and events.

CASTEL NUOVO Maschio Angioino

CASTEL NUOVO, THE MASCHIO ANGIOINO IN NAPLES

Southern Italy has, since the Middle Ages, been strongly characterised by the presence of castles, but Castel Nuovo, also known as Maschio Angioino, is definitely the most representative.
This place was enlarged several times, but the most important intervention was due to King Alfonso of Aragon, who moved his court there in 1443 and entrusted the Catalan architect Guillem Sagrera with the renovation of the building carving.

It was during the Renaissance that the Maschio Angioino fortress was equipped with five cylindrical towers, four of which incorporated the previous square ones. The sovereign’s refined taste is reflected in the elegant marble façade sandwiched between the Torre di Mezzo and the Torre di Guardia, which features an original Eyal argot with two superimposed arches and a Renaissance-style sculptural apparatus.

For visiting hours of the Maschio Angioino, I recommend visiting the official page of the City of Naples.