• user
  • en
    • it
    • fr
    • de
    • es
Search for the town, the city, the area where you want to go and consult the contents of VisitItaly
Search for the town, the city, the area where you want to go and consult the contents of VisitItaly
VISITITALY WHAT TO SEE CASTLES, PALACES AND MANSIONS LOMBARDY COUNTRY OF MILAN

Castles around Country of Milan, palaces and mansions

The area around Country of Milan is rich in castles, towers, and historic houses, a strong testimony of medieval architecture. A dense network of manors spreads out over the whole area, in the plains, on the gentle hill slopes and perched on rocky mountains, surrounded by vineyards, beech and chestnut woods. Built in strategic positions, they dominate the surrounding valleys, often with mighty crenellated walls and lively interior decorations made on frescoed walls to recall the opulence of the local noble families. Many can be visited, still others used as homes, and still others only ruins as evidence of a glorious past. Discover with Visititaly, the fortresses, the villas, the forts, the historic buildings, the noble residences and all the places linked to culture in the surroundings of Country of Milan. If you have visited a castle and would like to share your experience with others, please report it here!

Milan - Castles, palaces and mansions

Palazzo Litta

The work of the well-known architect Bartolomeo Bolli, Palazzo Litta is certainly the jewel of Milan, and is often referred to as the most important symbol of the Baroque style. It has a central structure, three floors high with a portal covered by the convex balcony. All the windows are decorated with folders, garlands in the gables and shells, instead those on the first floor also have small balconies. Do not miss the main floor that contributed to the fame of the building.

Milan - Castles, palaces and mansions

Casa degli Omenoni

The structure was built in the mid-1500s and was the residence of the sculptor, Leone Leoni. It consists of two orders and an attic which is punctuated vertically into seven compartments. On the ground floor you can see eight colossal caryatids in stone, which depict the defeated barbarians. On the main floor, we find the recessed columns of Ionian order that alternate with niches and windows to which in the 19th century the balconies were added to it. The courtyard is rectangular with three porch wings.

Milan - Castles, palaces and mansions

Villa Simonetta

Villa Simonetta dates back to the beginning of the 16th century and is a typical Renaissance patrician villa; it was built on commission of the nobleman Gualtiero Bascapè. Originally it was rectangular, but at the end of the 16th century it was enlarged with two side wings. The main facade is formed from a portico with nine arches with Tuscan columns on rectangular bases. The prestigious villa was decorated both inside and outside by cycles of frescoes, but unfortunately only a few traces remained visible.

Milan - Castles, palaces and mansions

Palazzo Trivulzio

The Palazzo Trivulzio was built in the early 18th century, on commission of the homonymous family and is a work by the architect G. Ruggeri. The facade is modest with decorations where the balcony stands out with the family coat of arms. Inside, however, you can notice the luxury of decorations with rich particularities such as porches, decorated ceilings and lavish furnishings. The palace became famous in the past for the parties held inside it.

Milan - Castles, palaces and mansions

Palazzo della Ragione

The origin of the palace dates back to the 13th century and until the middle of the 17th century it served as the seat of the Municipality. The building is certainly a medieval testimony from a historical and architectural point of view, with a typical rectangular structure and with two extensive aisles of arcades that form a real covered square, which was used for the traditional fair, at the time of the Visconti. The second floor consists of a large room with an area of one thousand square meters. Today the palace hosts art and photography exhibitions.

Milan - Castles, palaces and mansions

Palazzo del Senato

The origin of the palace dates back to the early 17th century and was built at the behest of the Cardinal of Milan, F. Borromeo. The building was designed to become the seat of the Swiss college, and stands on the ruins of a monastery. The style used in the construction is the Baroque one and of particular interest is the facade decorated with windows with triangular gables. Inside the building there are two large courtyards consisting of a double order of loggias. Over the centuries the function of the palace has changed several times to finally become, in 1872, the State Archives.

Milan - Castles, palaces and mansions

Palazzo dei Giureconsulti

The Palazzo dei Giureconsulti was built at the behest of the noble Giovanni Angelo Medici, in the mid-16th century, and is a work by the architect V. Seregni. The building is one of the most important buildings in Piazza dei Mercanti and was initially designed to host the college of “Noble Doctors”, an institution to train important figures of the state such as senators and judges. Over the centuries the building was destroyed and rebuilt several times. Since 1911 it has been owned by the Chamber of Commerce and hosts conferences, conferences and exhibitions.

Milan - Castles, palaces and mansions

Palazzo Arcivescovile

The Archbishop's Palace is located in Piazza Fontana and is the work of several architects. Over the centuries the palace has been rebuilt many times, and today only a part that preserves medieval architecture and a hamlet with decorations have remained intact. During the renovation in the late 19th century, fourteenth-century frescoes were found, which decorated the living room. Part of these frescoes and others recovered in other spaces of the building are exhibited today in the Archbishopric.

Milan - Castles, palaces and mansions

Villa Litta Modignani

The Litta Modignani villa consists of a central building with three floors from which short side bodies extend that form a small courtyard for carriages. The construction dates back to the early 18th century and was the home of the homonymous family. In the facades you can see decorations such as bands and frames and some balconies with iron railings. Although in poor condition due to inuse, the villa inside it maintains many decorations in the doors, scrolls and frescoed vaults.

Milan - Castles, palaces and mansions

Villa Scheibler

Villa Scheibler takes its name from its last owners and was built in two different historical periods, the first construction dates back to the mid-'400 and then expanded in the '700. It was designed as a hunting estate for the famous nobleman Ludovico il Moro and had a church and a stable inside it. Since it was abandoned for a long time, much of the church is degraded. The villa is surrounded by a beautiful park that is under restoration. The beauty of the park and the clubs make it a Little Versaille.

Rozzano - Castles, palaces and mansions

Castello Visconteo

From the Visconti Castle of Rozzano there have been historical references since the year 1000 and from historical materials it turns out that it was inhabited during the fourteenth century. The fortress was owned by the Trivulzio family who gave it, in 1836, to the Visconti di Modrone. This family owes the various structural extensions as well as the reconstructions of the interior spaces. The building has brick walls that enclose a square courtyard with towers placed at the corners of the structure.

Rozzano - Castles, palaces and mansions

Castello Visconteo

From the Visconti Castle of Rozzano there have been historical references since the year 1000 and from historical materials it turns out that it was inhabited during the fourteenth century. The fortress was owned by the Trivulzio family who gave it, in 1836, to the Visconti di Modrone. This family owes the various structural extensions as well as the reconstructions of the interior spaces. The building has brick walls that enclose a square courtyard with towers placed at the corners of the structure.

Milan - Castles, palaces and mansions

Palazzo Brentani

Palazzo Brentani was built in the 17th century, but its current appearance dates back to the reconstruction that took place in the 19th century, on commission of the Greppi family. The front side is divided into three floors with a stone base and in the center is the main entrance. The eleven medallions with the busts of the big names in the history of Milan are located above the windows of the first floor. In 1923, a new courtyard was built covered by engineer Giovan Battista Casati.

Milan - Castles, palaces and mansions

Palazzo Litta Cusini

It is not known exactly when Palazzo Litta Cusini was erected, which is apparently relatively new, but it is believed to have been superimposed on a very old building. The palace has a long façade decorated with small columns and statues with lion heads with open mouths. Another special feature is the widening of the doors to the whole or outside to facilitate the movement of the carriages. One of the corridors is decorated with medallions depicting the Duke and his wife.

Milan - Castles, palaces and mansions

Palazzo Melzi di Cusano

The Palace dates back to the mid-20th century and is the work of the well-known architect Giovanni Battista Bareggi. The building was built on an existing dwelling of the '400, with a neoclassical style. The front side is characterized by huge pillars of Ionian order, while inside the noble apartment we can still observe the neoclassical decorations. Currently, part of the building houses the Razor Museum which shows the evolution of the art of shaving.

Milan - Castles, palaces and mansions

Palazzo Borromeo

The palace was built at the end of the 13th century at the behest of the Borromeo family, and is one of the oldest residences in Milan. Over the years, the palace has undergone several restorations, losing part of the Gothic architecture. It consists of two courtyards, but only the 'honorable' courtyard is the best preserved part of this building. Inside it presents a cycle of frescoes that decorate the central hall and the rich art gallery, works by Michelino di Besozzo.

Abbiategrasso - Castles, palaces and mansions

Castello Visconteo

Built in 1382 by Gian Galeazzo Visconti, the Visconti castle was built in Renaissance style and more than a medieval fortress, it looked like a summer residence. During the 15th century until 1635 the castle played a primary role in the political life of the Duchy of Milan. In 1865 the castle was donated to citizenship and was used as a venue for various associations in the territory. In 1995, after having completely restored it, the “Romeo Brambilla” civic library was inaugurated. The interior frescoes originate from different eras.

Cernusco sul Naviglio - Castles, palaces and mansions

Villa Alari Visconti

Villa Alari Visconti was built in 1703 by the engineer and architect Giovanni Ruggeri, at the behest of the Alari family from which it also took its name. The structure is built in a very special style that combines majesty with stylistic refinement. Inside the villa there are frescoes belonging to F. Fabrica and F. Bianchi. But the villa fascinates you with its beauty not only inside but also outside with its magnificent garden that surrounds the whole building.

Melegnano - Castles, palaces and mansions

Castello Mediceo

The castle dates back to 1243 and has a quadrilateral structure with high corner towers. In 1532, it was purchased by Gian Giacomo Medici of the family of Nosigia of Milan, who transformed it into a marquisate. In 1981, the castle was purchased by the Province of Milan. In 1998, the restoration of the surrounding areas, halls and frescoes began dating back to the mid-16th century. The structure was reopened to the public in October 2001.

Destinations in the province

OUR GUIDES

Guida ufficiale di Visit Italy

Visit Italy Official Guide

Guide officiel de Visit Italy

Guía oficial de Visit Italy

Offizieller Reiseführer von Visit Italy

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Contacts

Terms of use

Covid-19 updates: information for tourists from italia.it

NEWSLETTER