Hidden passageways depicted solely in Leonardo da Vinci’s artwork have been found beneath an old Italian fortress.

Renowned artist Leonardo da Vinci depicted hidden tunnels in one of his paintings of an Italian castle, which experts believed suggested they were real. Nonetheless, they had never been discovered by anyone. However, recent studies have confirmed that the many tunnels Vinci sketched are indeed real and are part of a complex system constructed beneath a castle from the 15th century.

Researchers from the Polytechnic University of Milan, Codevintec, and Sforza Castel collaborated to uncover that the historic Sforza Castle conceals tunnels beneath it. Vinci was previously commissioned to create the castle and was aware of the tunnels, yet modern people have never encountered them.

Vinci’s art has been inspired by reality, and thus scholars understood that the tunnels depicted in his works weren’t just fictional elements. The researchers utilized ground-penetrating radar and laser scanning to examine several feet below the surface. They found a network of tunnels that contained multiple routes and appeared to have various functions.

Francesca Biolo, researcher at Polytechnic University of Milan, said in a statement, “The ground-penetrating radar enriched the 3D model with data on known, but inaccessible, spaces, bringing to light unknown walkways and ideas for further studies on secret passages.”

The tunnel network beneath Sforza Castle is thought to have been constructed in the late 1400s. Initially, Francesco Sforza, the duke of Milan, seized an existing location and constructed the Sforza Castle. The magnificent building featured towering spires, expansive courtyards, and halls adorned with frescoes. In 1494, Ludovico Sforza, who assumed control, chose to incorporate additional features into the castle. Leonardo da Vinci was commissioned as the artist for the castle.

This prompted him to record the subterranean passages, as stated by Art Net. Researchers think the tunnel system had multiple functions, with the main one being military objectives.

They also observed that the tunnels connected the castle to the Basilica of Santa Maria delle Grazie. Francesco constructed the church, which served as the burial site for the Sforza family. The royals took a single corridor to reach the church swiftly while paying respects at the graves of their relatives.

Significantly, Vinci’s The Last Supper is also present in the same church, further enhancing the fascination with the find. Researchers now aim to recreate the Sforza Castle as it was in ancient times, including concealed areas that are not visible or reachable today. The castle currently features three museums, and the researchers aim to utilize virtual reality to enhance the visitor experience, allowing them to discover aspects that remain hidden, at least for the time being.