Visconti Castle (Cusago)

The Visconti Castle or Castello Visconteo is a castle located in Cusago near Milan. It was built in the 14th century by Bernabò Visconti and used as a hunting lodge by the Visconti family, lords and dukes of Milan. The castle underwent significant changes in the Renaissance period. Today it is in a state of abandonment.

History
The castle of Cusago had been attended since 1369 by the court of Bernabò Visconti and after his removal from power in 1385 by his nephew Gian Galeazzo. Between 1425 and 1440 the Duke Filippo Maria Visconti devoted great attention to the castle and to the surrounding park. His mistress Agnese del Maino lived occasionally there. In 1438 a little canal (the naviglietto) was excavated to connect the castle to the nearby Naviglio Grande.

During the Ambrosian Republic (1447-1450) part of the buildings were demolished. The function of the castle as a country villa for hunting and parties was restored by Ludovico il Moro. In 1496 he hosted the emperor Maximilian I.