Milano riaprirà la Sala delle Asse di Leonardo al Castello Sforzesco nel 2025

After nearly a decade of studies and interventions, the Sala delle Asse at the Castello Sforzesco in Milan is set to be fully restored and reopened. The city council has approved the final phase of restoration, valued at €1.625 million, co-financed by the municipality and Fondazione Cariplo. Work is expected to begin in early 2025 and conclude over a year later, just in time for the 2026 Milan Olympics. The room, decorated with mural paintings attributed to Leonardo da Vinci, was originally commissioned by Ludovico il Moro in 1498. It was covered in lime for centuries, rediscovered by architect Luca Beltrami in the late 19th century, and suffered from poor 20th-century restorations. The current project, led by Michela Palazzo for the Soprintendenza, aims to restore the integrity of the frescoes, which feature a pergola with intertwined branches, roots, rocks, and charcoal landscape drawings. Culture assessor Tommaso Sacchi expressed satisfaction that the final phase is underway, allowing the room to be permanently reopened for citizens and visitors during the Olympics. Finance assessor Emmanuel Conte linked the project to other cultural initiatives like the Beic and Museo del Novecento, framing it as part of Milan's broader cultural revival.