• Art & Culture
    • Active & Green

The Sforzesca

A genuine prototype for subsequent rural Lombard architecture

Where
La Sforzesca, Vigevano (PV)

The Sforzesca was “The Moor’s” first initiative in Vigevano. He considered it a centre for collection and organisation of the extremely rich profits of the land, and promoted experimental farming and husbandry activities, including the known introduction of mulberry trees and of the silk worm.

The closed courtyard of the Sforzesca is a genuine prototype for later rural Lombard architecture, especially for the magnificent regularity of the layoutand its rigorous functional features.

The Duke also ensured the presence of vegetable and flower gardens, which were made possible by controlling the waters. However, he did not build a suburban residence for himself, which would have been typical of 15th century courts.

Indeed, in this regard he maintained previous medieval customs. Built before 1487. Architects: Guglielmo da Comino, who designed the villa-farmstead, and Leonardo da Vinci, designer of the irrigation canal network.   

...quanto più cade, più balza Adí 2 febbraio 1494 alla Sforzesca ritrassi 25 scalini di 2/3 di braccio l’uno larghi braccia 8 braccia 4-ghiara. La somma profondità dell’'acqua sarà tra la percussione e i bollori d’essa resultanti

During his stay at the Sforzesca, Leonardo da Vinci also painted the portrait of Cecilia Gallerani, "Lady with an Ermine" (today displayed at the Museum of Krakow).

Take me here: The Sforzesca

Places

Golf Vigevano

Golf Vigevano is a prestigious benchmark in the Italian golf circuit. The 18-hole course is set in the green surroundings of Ticino Park.
  • Golf
Golf Vigevano
2.1 km

Leonardiana

On the trail of Leonardo da Vinci, the museum itinerary inside the Castello di Vigevano
  • Art & Culture
Leonardiana
3.84 km

Gambolo'

  • Villages
Gambolo'
3.88 km

Duomo di Vigevano

It delimits the eastern side of the Piazza Ducale, with its grandiose Baroque façade
  • Religious Tourism
Duomo di Vigevano, Churches of Pavia
3.88 km

Piazza Ducale in Vigevano

You will be enchanted by one of the most beautiful Renaissance squares
  • Art & Culture
Piazza Ducale in Vigevano
3.93 km

International footwear museum

An art and a tradition in the town that has been the shoes world capital
  • Art & Culture
International Footwear Museum
3.94 km

Castle of Vigevano

The Castle of Vigevano is considered one of the biggest fortified structures in Europe, occupying 70 thousand square metres.
  • Art & Culture
Sforza Castle in Vigevano
3.94 km

Vigevano

  • Villages
Vigevano
3.95 km

Sanctuary of Santa Maria della Bozzola Garlasco

  • Religious Tourism
Sanctuary of Santa Maria della Bozzola Garlasco
9.3 km

Garlasco

  • Villages
Garlasco
10.57 km

Abbazia di Sant'Albino

Abbey of Saint Albino (VIII century) on the Via Francigena
  • Religious Tourism
Abbazia di Sant'Albino
11.38 km

Bereguardo Castle

Destinato prevalentemente a funzioni residenziali difendeva il versante occidentale dello Stato di Milano
  • Art & Culture
Bereguardo Castle
11.48 km

Pontoon bridge

This bridge is one of the last remaining pontoon bridges in Italy.
  • Art & Culture
Ponte delle barche
11.58 km

Mortara

Mortara si è guadagnata nei decenni il titolo di patria del Salame d'Oca più buono del mondo
  • Villages
Mortara
12.25 km

Basilica of San Lorenzo - Mortara

  • Art & Culture
Basilica of San Lorenzo - Mortara
12.26 km

Santa Croce abbey - Mortara

The Santa Croce abbey was instead the church of Ordine Mortariense
  • Religious Tourism
Santa Croce abbey - Mortara
12.26 km

Sanctuary of Madonna del Campo - Mortara

  • Religious Tourism
Sanctuary of Madonna del Campo - Mortara
13.5 km

Gropello Cairoli

  • Villages
Gropello Cairoli
14.74 km

Where to sleep

LA VITA E' BELLA

Vigevano
LA VITA E' BELLA
3.59 km

B&B DI GUGLIERI MARA

Vigevano
B&B DI GUGLIERI MARA
3.73 km

SOTTO I MERLI

Vigevano
SOTTO I MERLI
3.81 km

I MULINI B&B

Vigevano
I MULINI B&B
3.87 km

DA CARLITA: RIPOSO E RISTORO

Vigevano
DA CARLITA: RIPOSO E RISTORO
3.88 km

B.E.A. SRL

Vigevano
B.E.A. SRL
3.92 km

AGR. CASCINA BARACCA

Gambolò
AGR. CASCINA BARACCA
3.94 km

AGRITURISMO AGRICOLA NECCHI

Gambolò
AGRITURISMO AGRICOLA NECCHI
3.98 km

NUOVO HOTEL

Vigevano
NUOVO HOTEL
3.98 km

APPARTAMENTO LEONARDO DI N. 30 CHARME APARTMENTS

Vigevano
APPARTAMENTO LEONARDO DI N. 30 CHARME APARTMENTS
3.99 km

APPARTAMENTO IL MORO DI N. 30 CHARME APARTMENTS

Vigevano
APPARTAMENTO IL MORO DI N. 30 CHARME APARTMENTS
3.99 km

RISTORANTE PIZZERIA BELLA NAPOLI DI AMATO FILOMENA & C.

Vigevano
RISTORANTE PIZZERIA BELLA NAPOLI DI AMATO FILOMENA & C.
4.04 km

PICCOLA TORRE MAISON

Vigevano
PICCOLA TORRE MAISON
4.05 km

DA CARLA TRATTORIA CON LOCANDA

Gambolò
DA CARLA TRATTORIA CON LOCANDA
4.06 km

LOCANDA MILANO 1

Gambolò
LOCANDA MILANO 1
4.07 km

LOCANDA MILANO 2

Gambolò
LOCANDA MILANO 2
4.07 km

CASA LUIGINA

Vigevano
CASA LUIGINA
4.07 km

PICCOLA TORRE MAISONETTE

Vigevano
PICCOLA TORRE MAISONETTE
4.07 km

RISTORANTE LOCANDA MILANO

Gambolò
RISTORANTE LOCANDA MILANO
4.08 km

MAISON 16

Vigevano
MAISON 16
4.08 km