Northern gate to Italy - Bellinzona

In ancient times, three castles, Castello Sasso Corbaro, Castello Montebello and Castelgrande, aroused admiration and respect, constituting the defense of Bellinzona. Today they tell their story, guarding the most Italian of all cities in Switzerland.

Bellinzona is called the northern gate to Italy. It is located in the southern part of Switzerland, on the eastern bank of the Ticino River. It is famous for its mighty defensive structures - medieval castles, which are among the most important monuments of defensive architecture in the Alpine area. In 2000, all three were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The beauty of Bellinzona

The Swiss Bellinzona captivates with its beauty and precision of architecture. Its old town attracts the eye with richly decorated tenement houses, solid, wrought balconies and stone gates. It is worth taking a walk around Piazza del Governo, Via del Teatro and Piazza Nosetto - they are exceptionally picturesque places. There is a large market every Saturday on the latter.

In the old part of the city there is also the collegiate church of St. Peter and Stefan and the Church of Chiesa di S. Maria delle Grazie . The main attractions also include Teatro Sociale , designed in a classic Italian style. It is considered to be the only 19th-century Swiss theater that has survived to our times. Its creators were inspired by the building of the Milan opera house Teatro alla Scala.

The city's art gallery is also noteworthy - Museo Civico Villa dei Cedri . There are paintings by Italian and Spanish artists from the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, and the gallery itself is surrounded by a beautiful park.

There are many beautiful temples and patrician houses hidden in the streets of Bellinzona. During a break, we will satisfy our hunger with delicious Italian pizza, prepared with Swiss precision. It is worth knowing that the local wine is delicious, but due to its low production, you can taste it only in restaurants (you cannot buy it in a store).

Three stars

You can see many interesting monuments in the city, but there is no doubt that Bellinzona owes its greatest fame to three huge castles. The fortified complex is a unique example of medieval military architecture that has been preserved in the entire Alpine region.

The highest is the Castello di Sasso Corbaro , within its walls there is an ethnographic museum. The castle is a separate whole, unlike the other two, connected with each other by the remains of defensive walls. Situated among the vineyards, it is the smallest and the youngest.

The oldest and largest of the castles is Castelgrande . You can perfectly see the whole city and its surroundings. Two towers belonging to the fortress (Torre Bianca and Torre Nera) overlook the old part of Bellinzona. The castle has a restaurant, an art museum and an archaeological museum.

The last of the fortresses is Castello Montebello , surrounded by deep moats. The stronghold is located in the eastern part of Bellinzona and, like the two sisters, is now home to a (archaeological) museum.

Campsites in Switzerland - around Bellinzona

People looking for accommodation outside the hotel will easily find an offer for themselves. About 10-15 minutes from Bellinzona and Locarno there is the year-round Camping ISOLA . We will pay 17-21 CHF for a parking space for a motorhome, while an adult's accommodation costs CHF 8.50-10.50. We will pay 4 CHF per day for electricity.

The Northern Gateway to Italy is an ideal starting point for further excursions. About half an hour away from Lake Maggiore, which is home to many larger and smaller campsites (eg Campeggio Lago Maggiore in Tenero). Leaving the Swiss side of Lombardy and the city surrounded by high mountains, you can go to Ascona and Locarno. Sunny Lugano is also waiting to be explored.