Dungeons Without Dragons: Leonardo's Secret Military Tunnels/Sharknado

Grandpa Is Him

We explore the hidden tunnels beneath Milan's Sforza Castle, designed by Leonardo da Vinci and only recently discovered in 2025 using ground-penetrating radar technology. While working as a military engineer for Ludovico Sforza, da Vinci created secret passageways connecting important Renaissance landmarks that remained hidden for over 500 years.
• Leonardo applied to work for Ludovico Sforza primarily as a military engineer, listing artistic abilities as almost an afterthought
• The Sforza Castle evolved from military fortress to palace to museum, housing many Renaissance treasures
• Da Vinci designed the Sala della Asse with an elaborate ceiling of intertwined mulberry trees symbolizing prudence and productivity
• Researchers discovered actual tunnels that match Leonardo's sketches, including one connecting the castle to Santa Maria delle Grazie where The Last Supper was painted
• A mysterious sealed chamber was detected beneath the castle that has not been accessed since the 1490s
• Renaissance Milan was filled with political intrigue, spies, and dangerous power struggles alongside artistic innovation
• The castle has accumulated numerous ghost stories and legends of hidden treasure over its 500+ year history
Follow this podcast for more explorations of fascinating historical discoveries and overlooked stories from the past.

And a shark drops in on a disc golf game

Send us a text

Chapters

1. Dungeons Without Dragons: Leonardo's Secret Military Tunnels/Sharknado (00:00:00)

2. Welcome to Grandpa's Hymn (00:00:08)

3. Introduction to Sforza Castle (00:00:31)

4. Leonardo's Arrival in Milan (00:04:32)

5. The Sala della Asse (00:07:01)

6. Discovery of Hidden Tunnels (00:09:15)

7. Life in Renaissance Milan (00:12:10)

8. Ghosts and Treasures (00:14:15)

9. The Chamber Anomaly (00:17:11)

10. The Hammerhead Shark Story (00:19:51)