L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, APRIL 3, 2025 www.italoamericano.org 30 L'Italo-Americano LIFE PEOPLE PLACES HERITAGE TRADITIONS A rt, history, and modern technol- o g y h e l p e d r e s e a r c h e r s u n v e i l h i d d e n t u n n e l s b e n e a t h M i l a n ' s Castello Sforzesco (Sforza Castle), structures that per- fectly match sketches made by Leonardo da Vinci over five centuries ago. Built in the 15th century, the Sforza Castle had been originally commissioned by Galeazzo II Visconti in the late 1 4 t h c e n t u r y ; i t w a s l a t e r expanded and fortified by the Sforza dynasty, becoming a symbol of ducal power, of the Sforza family, and of Milan itself. The castle's sturdy walls and strategic design pay trib- ute to the military architec- ture of the time, which duti- fully created dwellings at once luxurious and incredibly well- defended. W i t h i n t h i s f o r t r e s s , Leonardo da Vinci played a crucial role, as he worked not only as an artist but as an engineer and a visionary. His association with the castle began in the late 15th century when Ludovico Sforza, the Duke of Milan, invited him to c o u r t . D u r i n g h i s t e n u r e , Leonardo worked on a variety o f p r o j e c t s , i n c l u d i n g t h e magnificent frescoes in the Sala delle Asse, a master- piece of nature-inspired art. However, beyond the visible ar tistic achievements, his n o t e b o o k s r e v e a l a m u c h deeper involvement in the s t r u c t u r a l a n d d e f e n s i v e aspects of the castle. Among t h e p a g e s o f t h e C o d e x Forster I we find detailed sketches and architectural notes outlining underground passages, which, until recent- ly, had been considered purely hypothetical. For centuries, historians and scholars speculated about the existence of these tunnels and, while Milanese lore often hinted at secret passageways beneath the castle, no defini- t i v e p r o o f h a d e v e r b e e n uncovered. That changed with the advent of modern non- invasive archaeological techniques. A collaborative effort between the Polytech- nic University of Milan and Codevintec, a company s p e c i a l i z i n g i n a d v a n c e d high-tech instrumentation for Earth and Marine Sci- ences, employed ground-pen- etrating radar and laser scan- ning to explore the castle's substructures without dis- rupting the historic site. The research team utilized elec- tromagnetic pulses to detect a n o m a l i e s u n d e r g r o u n d , identifying spaces that sug- gested hollow passageways. These findings were then fur- ther refined using laser scan- ning, allowing for the cre- ation of highly detailed 3D models of the underground network. The results con- firmed what many had sus- pected: an extensive sys- tem of tunnels lay hidden beneath the fortress, their design remarkably similar to L e o n a r d o ' s c e n t u r i e s - o l d sketches. The newly uncovered tun- nels appear to have served multiple functions: some sec- tions propose a clear military application, likely facilitating the discreet movement of troops and supplies to rein- force the castle's defenses in times of siege. Other passages hint at more personal and ceremonial uses, with one tunnel in particular showing signs that it may have con- nected the castle to key sites within Milan, including the Basilica of Santa Maria d e l l e G r a z i e , h o m e t o Leonardo's famed mural, The Last Supper. This particular passage could have provided Ludovico Sforza with private access to the basilica, particu- larly significant given his deep personal connection to the church: his wife, Beat- rice d'Este, is buried there, a n d i t i s b e l i e v e d t h a t h e spent considerable time in m o u r n i n g f o l l o w i n g h e r death, possibly seeking solace in the sacred space. If the tunnel indeed provided a secret route, it would not only further underscore the politi- cal and military importance of the castle but also its inti- mate connection to the per- sonal lives of its most famous residents. Leonardo's architectural vision is evident in the careful planning and execution of these subterranean struc- tures: his designs emphasize both functionality and aes- thetics, by integrating com- plex defensive mechanisms within the castle's architec- ture. The passageways were constructed with precision, e n s u r i n g s t a b i l i t y a n d longevity, and their strategic placement within the castle's foundation demonstrates an advanced understanding of military logistics and urban planning. T h e s u c c e s s o f t h i s r e s e a r c h i s a s i g n i f i c a n t breakthrough not only for historians but also for the field of modern archaeol- ogy: the use of non-invasive technologies in historical investigations allows scholars to uncover new aspects of the past without disturbing frag- ile structures. This approach has set a precedent for future explorations in densely popu- lated urban areas, where tra- ditional excavation would be nearly impossible. In the case of the Sforza Castle, these f i n d i n g s h a v e s p a r k e d renewed interest in the site's history, raising the possibility of further discoveries beneath the city of Milan itself. As a next step, researchers are considering the develop- ment of a digital twin of the Sforza Castle, which would recreate both its current state and its historical configura- tions. Thanks to it, scholars and the public alike could explore its structure, archi- tecture, and history in more d e t a i l . S u c h a n i n i t i a t i v e could allow visitors to virtual- ly walk through the newly uncovered tunnels, providing unprecedented access to an interesting piece of history. Perhaps even more impor- tantly, virtual access to the t u n n e l s c o u l d h e l p r e s e a r c h e r s f u r t h e r t h e i r understanding of their use, as w e l l a s p o t e n t i a l l y o f f e r insights into the existence of o t h e r s i m i l a r s t r u c t u r e s around the city. Additionally, the digital twin would serve as an invaluable resource for preservation efforts, as it would support the studying and monitoring of the castle's structural integrity in a depth never achieved before. To us bystanders — per- haps not entirely apt and equipped to understand the architectural and historical ramifications of the discovery — the tunnels speak especial- ly of Leonardo's ingenuity and of his many incredible talents, reinforcing his legacy as a thinker far ahead of his era. At the same time, we are also reminded of the seem- ingly inexhaustible depth of history and art still awaiting discovery around Italy, where every day, it can be truly said, b r i n g s a b o u t a n e w discovery. CHIARA D'ALESSIO Leonardo da Vinci's sketches reveal Sforza castle's secret tunnels The Sforza Castle in Milan (Photo: Matee Nuserm/Dreamstime)

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