In the heart of Milan, a new-old wonder has captivated the city: the Ancient Egypt Gallery at the Sforza Castle. Less than three weeks after its grand reopening, the gallery has already welcomed an astonishing 12,000 visitors, transforming a cultural offering into a vibrant social phenomenon. The air inside the gallery hums with the excited chatter of children, their tiny hands pressed against glass cases, pointing at jackal gods and the scales that weigh hearts.
A Journey Back in Time: Mummies, Sarcophagi, and Ancient Tales
The gallery is a treasure trove of ancient artifacts, featuring a mummy, sarcophagi, the blue sky goddess Nut, and a hawk-headed god. These exhibits, some dating back three millennia, transport visitors to a world where life and death were intertwined with elaborate rituals and profound beliefs. Children, in particular, are spellbound, their gasps and exclamations echoing through the halls. “The jackal god!” they shriek, or “Look, he’s weighing the heart!” Their unbridled enthusiasm is a testament to the enduring allure of ancient Egypt.
Milan’s Enduring Connection to Egyptology
While not on the scale of Turin or Cairo, Milan boasts a rich and historical connection to Egyptology. The mummy of Peftjauauiaset, a gift from the Austrian consul to the Brera librarian, has been in the city since 1830. Achille Vogliano, a papyrologist from the State University, conducted excavations in Fayum in the 1930s, partly funded by the Municipality of Milan. The “Busca Papyrus,” a prized possession of the Ca’ Granda-Policlinico Foundation since the mid-19th century, is also on display at the Castle. Its vivid illustrations bring to life the captivating Egyptian funerary rites, promising eternal life to the deceased whose heart was as light as a feather.
A Resounding Success: “An Extraordinary Response”
Tommaso Sacchi, Milan’s Councillor for Culture, expressed immense satisfaction with the gallery’s success. “The results of the first weeks since the opening are a source of great satisfaction for us,” he stated. “The 12,000 visitors in just twenty days, along with the 41,000 total admissions to the Castle in the first three weeks of March, demonstrate an extraordinary response from the public, already surpassing the numbers for the entire month of March 2025. The Sforza Castle confirms itself as a lively, accessible, and participatory place, at the center of the city’s cultural life.”
The Castle: A Hub of Milanese Culture
The reopening of the Egyptian Gallery has firmly cemented the Sforza Castle’s position as a dynamic cultural hub. The bustling scenes of families and school groups, guided by the Ad Artem association, underscore the gallery’s ability to engage and educate. The combination of ancient history and modern engagement has created a joyful hive of activity, where generations connect with the past.
The Heart’s Weight: A Timeless Lesson
One of the most captivating exhibits for young visitors is the depiction of the heart weighing ceremony. “Otherwise?” a guide asked a group of children yesterday morning, referring to a heart that was not light. In unison, they responded, “The heart would be devoured.” This ancient concept, teaching the importance of a pure heart, resonates with visitors of all ages, offering a timeless moral lesson amidst the grandeur of ancient civilization.
