Built in 1360 by Galeazzo Visconti, this castle was home to a refined and elegant court rather than being a rough military outpost, as testified by the remarkable internal loggia, the beautiful frescoes and the mullioned windows, to the point that during the 14th and 15th century the court became an important artistic hub.

The castle was originally surrounded by a park and game reserve that extended all the way to Certosa, and it was here that the battle of Pavia between the French army and the Holy Roman Empire army took place in 1525.

At the start of the 20th century the castle was acquired by the local municipality and has since been home to the civic museums, hosting many different art collections including: the Archaeological Museum and the Sala Longobarda; the Romanesque and Renaissance section; the Malaspina Art Gallery and an art gallery dedicated to the 17th and 18th centuries; the Quadreria dell’Ottocento; the Museum of the Risorgimento (now open to visitors under the Touring Club Italiano “Open for You” scheme).