An incredible archaeological discovery brought mysterious underground tunnels, designed by the Renaissance genius Leonardo da Vinci, under the light, under the Castello Sforzesco in Milan. Thanks to the most advanced scan technologies, including Georadar, Laser Scanner, GPS, photogrammetry and 3D modeling, scholars have identified structures remained hidden for centuries, revealing new secrets secrets.
A discovery beyond expectations
According to Francesca Biolo, historical architecture at the Polytechnic of Milan, the results obtained have exceeded any forecast:
We discovered rooms on a second underground level and a further parallel step to the one already known.
This revelation suggests that the Sforzesco Castle, in addition to the already known tunnels, can still hide other secret spaces.
The role of Leonardo da Vinci in the design
Built in the 14th century and expanded in the following centuries, the Sforzesco Castle was an important artistic and engineering center during the high Renaissance. Leonardo da Vinci, in addition to being a painter and sculptor, was also an expert in military fortifications and was commissioned to design part of the castle defenses.
Analyzing some sketches of the time, the researchers recognized the main structure of the castle and numerous secret passages that could still be unexplored. This discovery throws new light on Da Vinci’s engineering genius and opens the possibility of further finds under the historic Milanese fortress.
Experts believe that the underground galleries of the Sforzesco Castle were used mainly for military purposes, but some passages may have also had other functions. A significant example is the corridor that connects the castle to the Basilica of Santa Maria delle Grazie, the church wanted by Francesco Sforza, famous to host Leonardo da Vinci’s latest dinner. This secret passage may have guaranteed a safe connection between the two places, facilitating both strategic operations and access to the tombs of the Sforza family, including that of Beatrice D’Este, wife of Ludovico Il Moro.
Today, the Sforzesco Castle is home to three important museums:
Although the underground system is not yet completely accessible, the investigations conducted with Georadar and laser scan have confirmed the presence of these tunnels, opening new perspectives for their exploration.
The goal is to create a digital twin of the Sforzesco Castle, a virtual model that not only reproduces the current appearance of the complex, but which also allows to explore its past, recovering historical elements that are no longer visible, “said Franco Guzzetti, professor of Geomatica at the Polytechnic of Milan.
Thanks to the increased reality, visitors could soon immerse themselves on a virtual journey through the mysterious underground of the castle and its hidden environments. An innovative experience that, once again, celebrates Leonardo da Vinci’s genius, making his bequest accessible to the modern public.
