Castles of Bellinzona

Castelgrande: the most important castle in Bellinzona

Location & access

Castelgrande is prominently located directly above the old town of Bellinzona, on a rocky hill that has been fortified since time immemorial. Access is via a panoramic path from the town or via an elevator from the Piazzetta della Valle, which takes you up to the outer courtyards. From here you have a central starting point to reach the other castles.

Architecture & Exhibitions

Castelgrande is the largest and historically most heavily used castle in the ensemble. The castle now houses an archaeology and art museum, which provides information about the 6,500-year history of settlement on the hill - from Neolithic settlements to modern times. Exhibitions with medieval collections and local works of art can also be seen in Castelgrande.

The castle complex consists of several towers, defensive walls, battlements, courtyards and fortified walls, from which there are striking views of the old town and the other castles - Montebello and Sasso Corbaro. The battlements, walls and bastions strategically positioned around Castelgrande are particularly striking.

Experience & visit

A visit to Castelgrande is ideal for 1 to 2 hours, depending on your interest in exhibitions and tours. The climb through the walls and viewpoints rewards you with beautiful views of Bellinzona and the surrounding area, including views down into the Ticino Valley and towards Lake Maggiore (on a clear day).

As Castelgrande is centrally located, it can be reached directly from the old town - ideal as a starting point for a castle tour in Bellinzona.

Castello di Montebello: the middle castle with a view

Location & special features

The Castello di Montebello is located on a hill about 90 meters above the city of Bellinzona. From its location, Montebello overlooks both Castelgrande and the old town and offers a quieter experience with beautiful views.

History & conversions

The oldest parts of the castle date back to the late 13th century. The Rusca family from Como played an important role in its construction when Bellinzona was repeatedly fought over between Milan and Como. In the 14th and 15th centuries, extensions were carried out on behalf of the Milanese rulers - Visconti and later Sforza - as well as the expansion of the defenses and walls. In the 16th century, the castle came into the hands of the House of Schwyz, which received Montebello as part of the legal division of the castle. Restorations were carried out in the 20th century and today Montebello is home to an archaeological museum, which offers insights into the history of the region and old finds.

Visit & Experience

Montebello is open seasonally - during the summer season, the interior rooms and exhibitions can be visited. In the winter season, only the outer courtyards and parts of the walls are usually accessible. The walk up is particularly worthwhile for the view and the quieter atmosphere compared to the more frequented Castelgrande.

A tour of parts of the walls and towers opens up views of Bellinzona, the surrounding Ticino Valley and, on a clear day, even parts of Lake Maggiore.

Castello di Sasso Corbaro: The castle on the rock

Position & role

The Castello di Sasso Corbaro is located slightly off the beaten track and higher than the other castles, on an isolated rock to the south-east of Castelgrande and Montebello. Thanks to its exposed position, Sasso Corbaro offers a panoramic view of the other castles, the town of Bellinzona and the surrounding countryside with Lake Maggiore in the distance.

Sasso Corbaro was built in a relatively short time in 1479 by order of the Dukes of Milan to complete the line of defense.

Building & Architecture

Although it appears smaller than Castelgrande from the outside, Sasso Corbaro has an effective presence due to its striking structure and isolated location. It was built with a strategic vision: The intention was to secure controlling posts on the heights to complement the entire complex.

Inside, you can explore courtyards, walls, battlements and defenses, as well as smaller exhibitions, depending on the season.

Visit & Outlook

Sasso Corbaro is particularly suitable as the final stop on a castle tour: those who want to visit all three castles in Bellinzona often finish with this castle and enjoy a panoramic view, which can be particularly atmospheric in the late afternoon or at dusk.

Here, too, it is worth taking in the view over the Ticino valley, the town and - on a clear day - Lake Maggiore.