Milan Day 4 - Date With a Castle

And yes, this is a CASTLE -- not a neo-classical or fancy-schmancy marble confection meant to strike envy in the hearts of visiting royalty. Oh no, this is a CASTLE, a fortress, started in the 1300s and meant to look scary and imposing and keep people safe from warring neighbors. How fabulous!!

Castello Sforzesco from the tram stop

Castello Sforzesco is a 15-minute walk from the Duomo. But instead of taking the Metro again, we decided to ride one of the many streetcars or Trams. This short ride made Leah's day. She could have ridden on that tram all day and night. It may be the only thing she remembers about her trip to Italy -- other than the carousel. Sadly, we arrived at our destination.

And actual drawbridge!

The Castello has a long history, of course, and has been demolished, rebuilt and demolished several times in its 700 year existence. Da Vinci was even brought in as part a remodeling job. It's incredibly large, all brick, with towers on the corners. The area where the moat was is easily imagined flooded with water and populated with blood-thirsty alligators. In fact, it took very little imagination to dream up what the courtyard would have looked like hundreds of years ago -- I have been to a Renaissance festival.

Alice, in the courtyard, being 2-years-old

The other side of the Castello looks out over a very pretty park area. Leah, Alice and I stopped there for a snack consisting of a panini sandwich with prosciutto and potato chips.

The rest of the day went by as imagine; nap, park, etc.