CASTLE SASSO CORBARO

Perched 230 metres above sea level on a rocky outcrop, this ducal fortress is part of the city's fortified enclosure, classified by Unesco as a World Heritage site (year 2000) along with the Castelgrande and Montebello castles. Its name derives from its position, on top of a rock, like the feathers of a raven - in the Corbatt dialect. It is typical of the Sforza family, with a quadrangular tower, a keep and impressive walls 4.70 m thick. It was built in 1479 by Benedetto Ferrini, a military engineer from Florence, but he died of the plague before seeing it completed. In fact, it's the only one of the three castles with a precise construction date! It was built in just over six months, to complete the defensive line and block the road to Milan for the Confederates. The Emma Poglia room inside the castle is particularly opulent and refined, in a Baroque and Nordic style, all in solid walnut. It dates back to the ^17th century. This room was also used as a "stüva", or heating room, as evidenced by the room's stone stove, which bears the family coat of arms. Don't miss the view over the city from the castle's Belvedere, which houses temporary exhibitions. In winter, the château is closed, but the exterior and interior courtyards are open to visitors. Please note: the restoration work carried out between 2004 and 2006 has enabled the surrounding network of paths to be redeveloped with respect for nature.