Fortress of Bellinzona

Overview

Hint

Bellinzona

Ticino
Contact

UNESCO World Heritage in Switzerland
Phone +41 (0)31 544 31 15
ourheritage.ch

Intro

The fortifications of Bellinzona are an extraordinary example of a late-medieval defensive structure located at a key strategic point on the Alpine pass. The castles of Bellinzona are among the most marvelous examples of medieval fortified architecture in the Alps.

And it is with this wording that the three castles of Bellinzona, together with the walls and ramparts, joined the ranks of the prestigious UNESCO World Heritage sites on 30 November 2000.

Castelgrande, Montebello and Sasso Corbaro were constructed to control the route from the valley of the Ticino river, access to Alpine passes and commercial traffic from and to the San Gotthard pass.
Following recent reconstruction, restoration and improvement, it can now be seen in its full splendour and is the main tourist attraction in the city. Interesting temporary exhibitions are regularly organised at Castelgrande and Sasso Corbaro.
Visit them and add a missing piece to the complex and gigantic puzzle that is the history of humanity!

Further information

Montebello Archaeology

The tour offers an innovative and accessible exhibition concept where visitors can learn about the castle's history through sightseeing, old documents, drawings and contemporary photographs. It also accommodates an archaeological exhibition with a selection of finds from Ticino, particularly from the Bellinzona Region and the upper valleys. A guide in four languages, which can be downloaded to smartphones, accompanies visitors on their tour of the exhibition.

Further information

Castelgrande Museum

The museum is located over two floors of the south wing of Castelgrande, the ducal fortress restored by the architect Aurelio Galfetti between 1980-91.

In the archaeological history section, there is a brief presentation of the 6500 years of human presence on the hill, from the first Neolithic villages to the 20th century (collection of coins from the 16th century, evidence of a mint for three primitive cantons), and a very enjoyable film at the end. The artistic history section includes a group of tempera paintings on paper (from around 1470) which originally embellished the wooden ceiling of a magnificent fifteenth-century dwelling in the town centre which was demolished in 1970.

Further information