The drawings made by Leonardo da Vinci in his notebooks 500 years ago shed light on today. Researchers from the Politecnico di Milano have discovered the mysterious tunnels drawn in the famous artist’s notebook located beneath the Sforza Castle thanks to technology. The university’s statement expressed that there may be many more secret passages waiting to be discovered. Filled with coded and confusing drawings, Leonardo da Vinci’s notebooks overflow with intriguing mysteries.

However, scientists have revealed the truth behind one of the most intriguing drawings by the great artist. The mysterious tunnels drawn by Da Vinci around 1495 were found beneath the Sforza Castle in Milan. The reason why these secret passages were built under the castle constructed in the 13th century is not entirely known, but experts believe that there may be more tunnels yet to be discovered.

The network of hidden tunnels was discovered by researchers from the Politecnico di Milano, castle authorities, and the engineering firm Codevintec Italiana. This team developed a new method to digitally scan and record the entire castle, including sections that had been hidden for over 500 years.

Through examinations done with laser scanning, GPS, and underground radar, researchers revealed tunnels that almost perfectly matched Da Vinci’s original drawings. Francesca Biolo, the lead researcher of the study from Politecnico di Milano, said, “Compared to the past, Sforza Castle today is much smaller. This means that there may be many undiscovered remnants beneath the city.”

Construction of Sforza Castle began in 1358, but the castle has been destroyed and rebuilt several times since then. Today, only one-sixth of the original structure remains standing. After the original castle was demolished in the 1400s, Duke Francesco Sforza of Milan ordered a new structure to be built on its ruins.

Following Francesco’s death in 1466, his son Ludovico Sforza took over the project and invited leading artists of the time, including Leonardo da Vinci, to decorate the inside of the castle. Da Vinci’s works can still be seen in a section of the castle known as “Sala delle Asse” or the “Chamber of Wooden Boards.” However, his most significant contribution may have been hidden in his personal notebook.

In its statement, Politecnico di Milano said, “These passages immortalized in Leonardo’s drawings have long been subjects of legends and speculation. Now, thanks to technology, their existence seems to have been confirmed. Moreover, there may be many more secret passages waiting to be discovered.” Researchers combined different methods to discover additional rooms in a second underground floor of the castle and an additional passage running parallel to the known tunnel.

According to historical records, at least one of the castle’s secret passages may have been built for a more personal reason rather than military purposes. For example, one of the tunnels connects the castle to the Santa Maria delle Grazie Basilica, where Ludovico Sforza’s wife, Beatrice d’Este, is buried. It is believed that this passage was constructed so that the grieving family could visit their loved ones in peace and security.

Researchers say that these tunnels likely correspond with what Da Vinci drew in 1495. However, it remains uncertain whether Da Vinci played a direct role in their design.