Bellinzona

Bellinzona ’s location at the convergence of the valleys that lead to the alpine passes of the Gotthard, Lukmanier and San Bernardino, along with its imposing fortress-topped hill, made it the ideal site for the construction of a barrier across the valley.

Built in the 15th century by the Dukes of Milan in response to the advance of the Swiss from the north, this military complex is one of the most important examples of medieval defensive architecture in the whole of the Alps. The castles, walls and battlements, now superbly restored and integrated into the broader historical cityscape, impress visitors today more than ever.

Bellezze

Castelgrande, Montebello and Sasso Corbaro. The three castle museums are devoted to local history, art and archaeology, and also stage temporary exhibitions.

Villa and Parco dei Cedri. The city’s art gallery lies close to the Romanesque churches of San Biagio and Santa Maria delle Grazie.

Teatro Sociale. 150 years after its construction, this Neoclassical theatre — the only one of its kind in Switzerland — has been restored to its former glory.

Art-Key. A city tour with an audio guide is an excellent way to find out all about the city and its world-famous castles.

Art, architecture, design.

A walk around Bellinzona is a trip through time. For the monuments, artefacts and traces of the city’s long history are not only to be seen in the castle museums and in the Villa dei Cedri; the most impressive way to experience them is in the form of a city walk. As well as taking in the cultural highlights of past centuries, the city walking tour also leads to outstanding examples of contemporary architecture and urban planning – as well as the villas and gardens of the residential areas outside the city walls, the green spaces along the Ticino River, and the school buildings and sports grounds. An overview of all this, and a complete view of the structure and architecture of Ticino’s capital, can be seen from the castle of Sasso Corbaro.

Monte Carasso

The renovation of the convent complex of Monte Carasso and the regeneration of the village have been hailed as a model of contemporary planning — and show that the often-quoted claim: “Ticino is located at the periphery of Switzerland, but at the centre of Europe” is certainly true when it comes to architecture. From the former convent in the village centre, a small cable car (as well as a footpath through the chestnut forest) leads up to the recently restored medieval hamlet of Curzutt (now a family hostel) and on to Monte Mornera (1,347 m) and to the Albagno mountain hut (1,870 m).

A museum for the future

Deep beneath the Gotthard pass, engineers of the New Transalpine Railway (NEAT) are excavating the longest rail tunnel in the world, the Gotthard Base Tunnel. At the Pollegio site, near Biasca, a fascinating multimedia visitor centre explains the project.