However, the newfound affluence of Milan made it the target of new enemies, such as other Italian city states like Pavia, Cremona, and Lodi. Overcoming their rivals, the Milanese proceeded to incorporate those defeated neighbors into an ever-expanding domain that covered much of present-day northern Italy. To combat the mounting threats facing Milan, the once dominant archbishopric was forced to cede an increasing number of its responsibilities to an emerging aristocracy of wealthy burghers. Among the most influential merchant families to dominate Milanese politics were the Della Torre and the Visconti, who soon vied fiercely for control over Milan. Lasting for decades, their feud finally reached its climax with the demise of Della Torre at the Battle of Desio in 1277. Now the uncontested leaders of the newly created Duchy of Milan, the Visconti subsequently oversaw an even greater period of cultural and economic affluence for the city. But an enterprising mercenary named Francesco Sforza soon challenged the Visconti for the Duchy of Milan, claiming his right to the throne by way of marriage. Milan. Occupying the city, Sforza inaugurated his own dynasty as the new rulers of Milan. The community remained an important cultural bastion in Europe though, specifically emerging as a major player in the Italian Renaissance .One of the greatest minds of the Renaissance to take up residence in Milan was the legendary Leonardo da Vinci, who created significant masterpieces while living on-site, like The Last Supper, the Virgin of the Rocks, and the scientific drawings included within his Codex Atlanticus.  

Milan’s fortunes went on to fluctuate with the tides of European power struggles, falling under French, Spanish, and Austrian governance for several centuries. Despite these changes, Milan endured as a beacon of innovation and culture, seeing the debut of such renowned institutions as the Teatro alla Scala. Then during the 19th century, Milan and its residents were monumental toward galvanizing the Italian Risorgimento, specifically contributing resources and labor to the eventual creation of a unified Italy in 1861. The simultaneous spread of the Industrial Revolution further transformed Milan, making it Italy’s main manufacturing powerhouse. The city’s skyline began to change with new buildings and infrastructure reflecting its modern rebirth. Although the city was affected by World War II a century later, it is still one of the most prosperous European metropolises. Milan currently serves as the host to world-renowned facilities like the Politecnico di Milano and the Bocconi University, as well as the many prominent companies that reside within the historic Porta Nuova district. The city’s commitment to the arts has remained just as strong, as best epitomized by the famed Milan Fashion Week festival it has hosted since the 1950s. The community is the site of globally significant historic landmarks, including the UNESCO-recognized Santa Maria delle Grazie church, which is presently the home of Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper painting.  

When the Marquess Claudio Dal Pozzo inherited the estate, he transformed the accompanying castle to highlight a beautiful blend of Gothic Revival-style motifs. Gothic Revival-style architecture was born from the Romanticism that swept through Europe in the middle of the 19th century. This demarcated a distinctive break from the Neoclassicism of the century prior, which drew its architectural inspiration from the Greco-Roman civilizations of antiquity. The desire for the medieval design principles of Gothic Revival architecture reflected a broader trend within Western societies—particularly in Europe—to preserve the past in a meaningful way. Architects thus took to preserving the surviving buildings from the period, while also creating new ones that mirrored the aesthetic. The most common structural elements incorporated into buildings developed with Gothic Revival style was the pointed arch. This profound feature manifested around windows, doors, and rooftop gables. It influenced the development of entire substructures, leading to the creation of such features as mock parapets, conical towers, and high spires. Other characteristics associated with Gothic Revival-style architecture included a special kind of wooden trimming known as either “vergeboards” or “bargeboards.” Porches also featured turned posts or slender columns, while the roof was often deeply pitched and lined with dormers. Architects typically used this style for rural buildings set within a historic village or town, although some in the field chose it for commercial structures. Contemporary churches came to highlight Gothic Revival style , as their natural layout was well-suited to show the best of the form.   

Given the Marquess’ deep appreciation for English—and greater British—art, he infused many rich elements of Tudor Revival designs throughout the revitalized Oleggio Castello. Tudor Revival architecture is best defined as an eclectic mixture of late medieval building traditions that influenced the appearance of English villages during the Middle Ages. The form specifically attempted to emulate the historical character of the feudal cottage that once dominated England’s landscape. The name “Tudor” is somewhat of a misnomer though, for the design aesthetic did not borrow any of its principles from buildings constructed during the reign of the 16th-century Tudor monarchs. Nevertheless, buildings constructed with Tudor Revival-style architecture were typically identified by their half-timbering. “Half-timbering” is the practice of constructing a series of interlocking load-bearing timber frames that were then filled with some kind of plaster mold. The architects left the frame exposed, creating a distinctive appearance. Another common characteristic of Tudor Revival-themed buildings was the presence of a steeply pitched roof that usually featured heavy shingles. This area of the structure was often lined with overhanging gables, as well as eaves and diamond-shaped casement windows. In many cases, the architects endeavored to make the roof appear as if it had been thatched. A round arched doorway guided guests into the interior, which featured an irregular floor plan. The use of such a layout was normal inside late medieval English homes, as it usually took several generations to build. Modern architects attempted to recapture that ambiance whenever they set about creating the blueprints for Tudor Revival-style buildings.