Based on his ancient drawing, they found an underground labyrinth beneath Sforza Castle in Milan—a structure built in the 15th century by Duke Francesco Sforza.
The drawing, found in archives and related to Leonardo’s projects for the castle, contained a schematic of tunnels previously considered legendary. To verify the data, specialists from the Polytechnic University of Milan, the company Codevintec, and the Sforza Castle administration used ground-penetrating radar and laser scanning.
“We confirmed the existence of the tunnels mentioned by Leonardo, and we also discovered new, unknown passages that may be part of a complex system of underground routes,” said researcher Francesca Biolo.
The scientists believe the subterranean galleries were used for military purposes and secret movements. One of the passages, according to preliminary data, connected the castle with the Basilica of Santa Maria delle Grazie, which houses Leonardo’s legendary “The Last Supper” and is the final resting place of members of the Sforza family.
“Our goal is to create a digital twin of the castle, which will allow us not only to recreate the historical appearance of the structure but also to study hidden elements that have disappeared over time,” noted Professor of Geomatics Franco Guzzetti.
In the future, a new augmented reality technology will allow visitors to the castle to literally follow in Leonardo’s footsteps and explore the inaccessible underground spaces in a virtual form.
Thus, the great master’s creativity has once again inspired discovery, connecting the Renaissance era with modern technology.
