Things to see and do Bellinzona

The Bellinzona fortress has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000. The Bellinzona fortified complex, comprising three castles with their surrounding walls and a great wall, is an extraordinary example of a late medieval defensive structure, located at a key strategic point for crossing the Alps. "Dream of a fortress unique in Europe" is the slogan chosen to accompany the fortress in an ongoing process of content renewal. As for the Villa dei Cedri, which houses the museum, the exhibition tells the story of modern life between the ^19th and ^20th centuries. Situated in the south-east of the municipality of Bellinzona, in an area known as "the Nice of Bellinzona" due to its particularly sunny location, it is surrounded by a park of century-old trees overlooking the square of the former church of San Biagio. The building is the result of a Palladian transformation, circa 1920, of the original neoclassical building dating from 1860. A museum of modern and contemporary art since 1985, Villa dei Cedri hosts two to three temporary exhibitions a year, focusing on art from the ^19th to ^21st centuries, with a particular emphasis on works on paper. Nature is also a theme strongly anchored in the identity of the Villa dei Cedri museum, not least because of its location, once surrounded by farmland and now immersed in the greenery of a historic park.

Perched 230 metres above sea level on a rocky outcrop, this ducal fortress is part of the city's fortified enclosure, classified by Unesco as a World Heritage site (year 2000) along with the Castelgrande and Montebello castles. Its name derives from its position, on top of a rock, like the feathers of a raven - in the Corbatt dialect. It is typical of the Sforza family, with a quadrangular tower, a keep and impressive walls 4.70 m thick. It was built in 1479 by Benedetto Ferrini, a military engineer from Florence, but he died of the plague before seeing it completed. In fact, it's the only one of the three castles with a precise construction date! It was built in just over six months, to complete the defensive line and block the road to Milan for the Confederates. The Emma Poglia room inside the castle is particularly opulent and refined, in a Baroque and Nordic style, all in solid walnut. It dates back to the ^17th century. This room was also used as a "stüva", or heating room, as evidenced by the room's stone stove, which bears the family coat of arms. Don't miss the view over the city from the castle's Belvedere, which houses temporary exhibitions. In winter, the château is closed, but the exterior and interior courtyards are open to visitors. Please note: the restoration work carried out between 2004 and 2006 has enabled the surrounding network of paths to be redeveloped with respect for nature.

This church dates back to the end of the th century. This was mentioned for the first time in 1480. The interior shared by a large lateral wall, according to the Franciscan usage, is an exquisite inspiration. It is painted entirely by a fresco where it can be noted that Renaissance refinement leaves free reign to an ornamental sincerity invaded by grace. In its centre is the Crucifixion, and around fifteen paintings expressing the life of Christ.

During the celebration of the centenary of Napoleon's Act of Mediation, which established the autonomy of the canton, this square took its current name. The square coincides with the southern access to the medieval city and echoes the Piazza del Sole, which gave access to the city to those arriving from the north. Nowadays, Piazza del Sole has been completely restored by the architect Livio Vacchini. A little further on is another important square: the Piazza della Collegiata called Piazza Grande.

It is the oldest square in the city, the only one whose name is mentioned since the Middle Ages. It was here that the communal well where the inhabitants used to get their supplies and where the town hall is located. The present building from the beginning of the 20th century is reconstructed on the remains of an earlier building, dating from the 14th century, which corresponded to the Copertum comunis. It was here that justice was administered. In the 15th century it was renovated and included the meeting rooms of the local government, the chancellery and the Milanese officers' residence.

It is part of the defensive wall of the fortified city between the 13th and 15th centuries. True intact vestiges of the Middle Ages, they bear witness to the military importance of building large protective walls around the towns. Decorated by the architects Mario Campiet Franco Pessina, it is divided into two cells. Fifteenth-century capitals, drawings, sketches and engravings by artists, guns and firearms make up the first part. The second section, known as the archaeological section, contains numerous objects from Ticino. Magnificent!

Each year, the municipal art gallery offers temporary exhibitions to enhance the presentation of its own collection of Swiss and Italian figurative art of the ^19th and ^20th centuries. The collection includes works by ^19th-century artists such as Chiesa, Feragutti and Visconti. The gallery has recently undergone major renovations. The guides are particularly knowledgeable and friendly. You can then take your time to stroll through the lovely park, with its superb cedar trees, which is well worth a visit.

Founded in 1994, it is the Centre d'art contemporain du canton du Tessin (CACT). You can be sure of being at the heart of cultural trends, as the museum's mission is to promote exhibitions on a variety of themes. It also promotes the launch of thematic publications. It puts new artists in touch with each other and participates in collection exchanges within the framework of the Ticino contemporary art museums. The museum is very modern, well organized and pleasant to visit.

Castelgrande is an imposing castle within its walls, classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO like its neighbours. It dominates the city and to get there on foot you will have to climb stairs. But it's worth the effort because the view is superb from up there. Of the three castles that made up the medieval defence system of the city of Bellinzona, Castelgrande is the most imposing and even - the most important in Switzerland! Altered in the 15th century by the engineers of the Milanese Dukes at the same time as the rest of the fortifications, it became the keystone of the powerful wall, almost 500 m long, which then barred the Ticino valley in order to protect the Duchy of Milan and control the road leading to the Gotthard Pass. Between 1980 and 1991, Castelgrande underwent a restoration project led by the architect Aurelio Galfetti, which successfully blended the modern with the old. Today, the castle houses a museum, the History Archaeology and Art History Museum, which tells the story of the town for 6,500 years. To complete the premises, several establishments, including a gastronomic restaurant (40 seats) and a Ticino tavern (40 seats), have taken up residence in the large inner courtyard of the castle. There is also a large panoramic terrace at the foot of the south wing of the castle (80 seats). Also worth a visit with a passo common to all three places: the Castello di Sasso Corbaro and the Castello di Montebello and its archaeological museum.

The tourist office will be happy to guide you on a tour of the three castles for which Bellinzona is famous. The Guest Card entitles you to visit Bellinzona's castles, the permanent and temporary exhibitions in the castles and entry to the Villa dei Cedri. The region's must-see attractions are also suggested, including Leventina, the Blenio Valley, Biasca and Riviera. Bellinzona's old town feels provincial, and this is reflected in the local gastronomy. Ask for advice on tasting the local cheese.