Castle / Ruins Sights in Milan

Palazzo Marino has been the home of Milan's town council since 1861. Located in La Scala square, the palace was designed by architect Galeazzo Alessi, from Perugia, in 1558.

The Royal Palace is a classically beautiful example of 18th-century Milanese architecture. Built in the 1300s, it was initially the residence of the Visconti and Sforza families, then later home to the Spanish and Austrian governors.

The Castello Sforzesco is Milan's main attraction after the Duomo. The castle's popularity is due in no small part to the dozen museums and archives within its grounds, with exhibitions on subjects as diverse as Palaeolithic history to 1950s furniture.

The fortified castle of Borromeo sits on a rocky outcrop overlooking the town of Angera and is one of the best-preserved castles in the region. There are spectacular views of Lake Maggiore and across to the Alps, meaning it was an important strategic location.

This 52-metre tower rises up in Bergamo's old town offering a strategic view across the town and the surrounding area. Apparently, it was originally 64 metres high but the top few metres were removed in the 19th century due to the risk of collapse.