Vigevano I d e a l T o w n

Vigevano V E R S O
E X P O
2 0 1 5
The Duke’s Palace
Palazzo Ducale
Up until the mid 1300s the Maschio (Keep)
– corresponding to the ancient “castrum” and
probably of Lombard origin - was used for the
defence of the residents and as a safe refuge for
the inhabitants of the hamlet and suburbs.
Its transformation into the Duke’s Palace began in
1345 and it was mainly Ludovico il Moro with the
guidance of Donato Bramante who gave it the
appearance of a renaissance palace.
Lombard artists and artisans worked to adorn the
great halls with frescoes and magnificent furnishings
for the duke’s court, illustrious figures and sovereigns.
Some of the frescoes, dating to the second half
of the XV century, are still visible today; the Sala
dell’Affresco is particularly important and depicts
a hunting scene, the favourite pastime of the Dukes
of Milan.