The castles of Bellinzona: a medieval masterpiece
July 3, 2019 | Sophia Trout
Switzerland has some of the most breathtaking sight-seeing locations in all of Europe. From the towering Swiss Alps, serine lake shores to bustling cities, there is something for everyone in the small country sandwiched between France and Italy. Some of the most popular cities in Switzerland include Zurich, Geneva, and Bern, but tucked away in the southern part of the country is Bellinzona. A quaint town with a rich history, Bellinzona is often overlooked when planning a trip abroad. However, if ever given the opportunity, visiting the three castles of Bellinzona is a must for tourists looking to enrich themselves with medieval history and walk the same castle corridors as Lords and Ladies have done before them dating back to the 13th century.
Photo: Sophia Trout
Meet the Castles
Castlegrande, Castle Montebello and Castle Sasso Corbaro have adorned the hills of Bellinzona for thousands of years. Construction for the first castle, Castlegrande, began in the 13th c. according to Ticino.ch and since then has been reconstructed multiple times. It has withstood battles, changes in power within the region, and expansions. The grounds of the castle now house a restaurant, park, and museum. Museo Castlegrande is located in the south wing, a ducal fortress restored by architect Aurelio Galfetti from 1980-91 as stated by Ticino.ch. “[The castle and museum] are open from March to around November,” according to Maria, a worker at Museum Castlegrande. After taking a stroll around the grounds and learning more about the castle’s history, travelers have the opportunity to hike to the second fortress, Castle Montebello.
Castle Montebello is 90 meters (295 feet) above Castlegrande and is accessible by foot or, as mentioned by Ticino.ch, from the residential area called “Nocca” and then taking a bus up from Viale Stazione. The architecture differs slightly from Castlegrande because this castle is not surrounded by a natural barrier, so a moat was built to protect the walls. According to tichino.ch, the castle was presumably owned by the Rusconi family of Como before falling into the hands of the Ghiringhelli family towards the 18th century. A museum is also located in the castle as well as an info center to buy tickets, receive pamphlets, and collect souvenirs. The view from the walls looks down upon Bellinzona and Castlegrande as well as seeing a glimpse of Castle Sasso Corbaro in the distance.
Castle Sasso Corbaro is the third and final of the castles ascending into the hillside. Lonely Planet says the hike from central Bellinzona to the castle is 3.5km (2.17 miles). The fortress stands 23o meters (754 feet) above the city (tichino.ch) and provides a birds-eye view of the bustling streets below although being the smallest of the three. Like the other two castles, there is a museum, which features temporary exhibits, and a courtyard. The grounds also house a restaurant for drinks or a meal. Unlike the first two castles, Sasso Corbaro is not integrated into the city walls according to bellinzonese-altotichno.ch. The main show stopper, aside from the fantastic panoramic views, is the wooden room otherwise known as the Sala Emma Poglia. The area is paneled entirely in walnut and features the stuva which is a stove made for heating.
It is essential for travelers to read up on the history of these castles to truly appreciate the vibrant, classical artifacts in each of the castle walls. Also knowing general information about the features of the fortifications can help aid you in planning excursions and budgeting a trip.
Travelers Tips and Tricks
Together, the three castles were included on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites which makes them a popular spot to visit in Switzerland. Maria says, “[depending] on vacations, about 100” people visit the castles every day during the summer. There is an information center at each castle where people can purchase tickets which have to be bought at all three to explore the grounds. The entrance to the first castle is right off the city square, Piazza del Sole, and can be accessed via elevator or by walking. Or, there is a new train service called Artù, featured on tichino.ch, which allows visitors to see each the three castles and the main historical monuments of Bellinzona via train. The train tour is about one hour and a half and tickets can be purchased the day of or in advanced. The park area in the first castle is relatively flat with smooth grass and cobblestone paths if travelers have any mobility restrictions, but the entrance to the museum does have a couple stairs leading into the main exhibit.
The first castle also has a few perks for young children including towers which are open to climb and explore as well as an escape room which can be reserved in advanced if travelers need an hour to kill before continuing their journey. There is also a restaurant in the same wing as the museum. It’s a little pricy, so not ideal for travelers on a budget. However, it makes for a beautiful spot for special occasions. To access the second castle is previously mentioned, but it is important to note that it is less ADA compliant. The walking trail up to the castle is very steep and narrow, and once travelers reach the castle, there is an uneven dirt path leading in and gravel adorning the ground throughout. Bringing a water bottle is advised since it can be a very winding journey to the top. The view is breathtaking from the stone walls which are open to walk across, and there is also a smaller museum located in the second castle. There are stairs to get into the museum as well as stairs within the exhibit, so make sure to plan accordingly. The third caste is much more of a hike, so travelers with less hiking experience or endurance be cautious.
“My favorite one is the one on top…the highest one. It’s smaller, but [has] a beautiful view. It’s my favorite one, but all three are special” Maria says when reflecting on her favorite castle. There are moments where the trail goes off the beaten track but keep walking up and the castle will quickly appear. The stunning panoramic views of Bellinzona make the walk worth it, and as mentioned, there is a museum and restaurant on the castle grounds. The journey down is about an hour and it spits out hikers right back out into the main square next to the church. In that area, there are lots of restaurants, cafes, and gelato spots to revive hikers after the excursion.
Bellinzona is not generally at the top of people’s “places to travel” list, but it should be. The mesh of medieval and modern, divine local cuisine, and all the gelato one can dream of are just some of the reasons Bellinzona is a standout city. If ever given a chance, take a trip to the quaint town, go to the castles, and take the best selfie ever on top of Sasso Corbaro.
Citations:
The Castles of Bellinzona: https://www.ticino.ch/en/commons/details/The-Castles-of-Bellinzona/73494.html·
The Castle of Montebello: https://www.ticino.ch/en/commons/details/The-Castle-of-Montebello/2796.html·
Lonely Planet: Castello di Sasso Corbaro: https://www.lonelyplanet.com/switzerland/bellinzona/attractions/castello-di-sasso-corbaro/a/poi-sig/1373013/1314899
Bellinzonese e Alto Ticino: https://www.bellinzonese-altoticino.ch/en/
The Castle of Sasso Corbaro: https://www.ticino.ch/en/commons/details/The-Castle-of-Sasso-Corbaro/2797.html
Castlegrande: https://www.ticino.ch/en/commons/details/Castelgrande/2793.html