Visconti-Sforza Castle, Medieval fortress in Galliate, Italy
Visconti-Sforza Castle is a fortress in Galliate with a rectangular layout and four corner towers positioned at each corner. The structure has remained largely intact over time, though the western facade has undergone alterations.
The Sforza family built this fortress between 1476 and 1496 on the site of an earlier Visconti stronghold. The construction marked a shift from a feudal residence to a military fortification.
The south-western section now houses a municipal library with rooms decorated with stucco work and heraldic designs from later centuries. These spaces show how the castle evolved to serve new purposes and became part of public life.
The western section belongs to the municipality, while the central area is divided among multiple private owners. This means some parts may not be accessible to visitors and opening times for certain areas can vary.
The castle exceeds the typical size of Sforza fortifications, making it a remarkably large example of its kind. The surviving architectural details demonstrate how carefully these defensive structures were planned and designed.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
