Castles of Bellinzona

The Castles of Bellinzona are three majestic castles, Unesco World Heritage Sites, located in the city of Bellinzona in the canton of Ticino in Switzerland. The castles, all built in the 14th and 15th centuries, were originally constructed by the Dukes of Milan, with Castle Montebello the oldest of the three. Castle Montebello offers a view of the town of Bellinzona from its terrace as well as the Swiss and Italian Alps.

The second castle, Castelgrande, also offers views of the mountains which loom in the distance, as well as the city of Bellinzona. Standing atop a rocky outcrop, it dominates the city’s skyline. The main attraction of Castelgrande is the defensive walls, which date back to the 13th century, and the three towers; Casa Serodine, Torre di Gattamela, and Torre Balestra. The third castle, Castello di Sasso Corbaro, is located further away from the city and is only accessible by foot. It was completely renovated and now contains two towers with defensive walls. Together, these three castles are a reminder of the importance of Bellinzona in its medieval past. Each of the castles has unique features which still remain today and all offer great insight into what life was like during that time. It's a great place to explore Switzerland's history, culture and architecture.