Leonardo Da Vinci’s mind continues to fascinate the world with each new discovery. His great works, from The Last Supper until The man of vitruvioThey have been studied in depth. However, even in their legacy, there are still secrets to reveal.
One of those enigmas has just come to light in the Sforza Castle in Milan, where a team of archaeologists, with the help of high technology, has discovered a system of hidden tunnels, mentioned in an old Da Vinci drawing.
For centuries, no one had been able to confirm its existence. Now, a radar of soil penetration and laser scanners have shown that Leonardo not only drew them, but these passages really exist.
The most disturbing thing is that they could be just a small part of a much larger underground network, hidden under the castle.
The Castle of the Secrets and its Hidden Legacy
The Sforza Castle is a strength with a story full of power, art and conspiracies. Built on a medieval base, it was transformed in the fifteenth century by Francesco Sforza, Duke of Milan. Later, his Ludovico son Sforza, protector and patron of Leonardo Da Vinci, made him an art and knowledge center.
According to historical documents, Da Vinci not only decorated its walls with frescoes, but also documented the tunnels that were running under the structure, the same ones that have now been found.
One of the most intriguing passages connects the castle with the Basilica of Santa Maria Delle Grazie, the place where it is located The Last Supper from Leonardo and where the members of the Sforza family are buried.
Experts believe that these tunnels served for military purposes, allowing soldiers to move secretly. However, other passages could have had a more personal purpose: a secret route for the castle inhabitants to visit their deceased relatives without being seen.
Technology reveals what time hid
The discovery was possible thanks to a sophisticated radar of penetration into the ground, which allowed to detect hidden spaces under the surface.
According to Francesca Biolo, a researcher at the Polytechnic University of Milan, technology allowed to map inaccessible areas and discover new underground connections, opening the door to future studies on secret passages.
Now, experts plan to create a digital twin of the Sforza Castle, a 3D recreation that will not only show its current structure, but also allow exploring the historical elements that have disappeared over time.
The future of a mystery still unsolved
While the tunnels were located, they are not yet accessible to the public. However, scientists work on the possibility of integrating them into a virtual tour, where visitors can explore them thanks to augmented reality.
How many more of these passengers are still hidden under the city of Milan?
With this discovery, Leonardo Da Vinci continues to surprise the world, even centuries after his death. The secret tunnels of the Sforza Castle have come to light, but its history still has a lot to tell.
