Il meglio di Bellinzona

Bellinzona Unmissables

Bellinzona, the capital of Ticino, is defined by its three UNESCO World Heritage-listed medieval castles: Castelgrande, Montebello, and Sasso Corbaro. Beyond these fortifications, the city features the neoclassical Teatro Sociale, the 16th-century Collegiata dei Santi Pietro e Stefano, and the 15th-century Santa Maria delle Grazie church, home to significant Renaissance frescoes. The selection also includes the modern Federal Criminal Court and the Villa dei Cedri art museum, alongside the 270-meter-long Carasc Tibetan bridge spanning the Sementina valley.

Bellinzona Unmissables — Mappa

Jungpionier / CC-BY-SA-3.0

A

Castelgrande

The Castles of Bellinzona are a group of fortifications located around the town of Bellinzona, the capital of the Swiss canton of Ticino.

Massimo Macconi / Public domain

B

Montebello

This medieval castle has more than 700 years of history behind it. A prime example of Swiss military architecture.

C

Sasso Corbaro

Defensive fortress and prison that (unlike the other two) remains unconnected to the defensive walls.

D

Ponte Tibetano Carasc

A 270-meter-long suspension bridge hanging 130 meters above the Sementina valley floor, connecting the mountain communities of Monte Carasso and Sementina.

Utente:G2 / Public domain

E

Collegiata dei Santi Pietro et Stefano

Renaissance church built in the 16th century, featuring a late-Baroque facade, a large rose window, and an interior decorated with elaborate stucco and frescoes.

WPestana / CC BY-SA 3.0

F

Teatro Sociale Bellinzona

Neoclassical Italian-style theater built in 1847 by architect Giacomo Moraglia. It is the only surviving theater of its kind in Switzerland.

NAC / CC BY-SA 4.0

G

Federal Criminal Court of Switzerland

The Federal Criminal Court, is a Swiss federal court. Since its inception in 2004, it has been located in Bellinzona.

H

Villa dei Cedri

Civic art museum housed in a 19th-century villa. The collection focuses on regional Swiss and Italian art from the late 19th century to the present day.

Laurom / Public domain

I

Chiesa di Santa Maria delle Grazie

15th-century Franciscan church known for its monumental partition wall featuring a Renaissance fresco cycle depicting the Life of Christ.