Montebello, Sasso Corbaro and Castelgrande the castles of Bellinzona

Bellinzona is a city located north of Lugano in Switzerland, not far from Como and Varese, located 60 km to the south. So this is an interesting destination for a weekend in Switzerland (although the inside of the manor is open to the public until November) or a trip designed to enhance one of the holidays in December. An interesting destination where you can expect to see three interesting castles and you don’t need to have a high financial profile to visit them:

Lake of Castelgrande

The castles of Bellinzona are among the finest examples of medieval fortification in the Alps. Even today, these fortifications declared UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000, with their crenellated walls, tower and gates and never cease to surprise you. Their names are Montebello, Sasso Corbaro and Castelgrande and bear witness to a history of wars, invasions and border conflicts.

Sasso Corbaro Castle

Sasso Corbaro Castle

The Castle of Sasso Corbaro is separated from other works of defense unified from the thirteenth to the fifteenth century. At that point in 1400 there was a strong tower around which grew a fortress deemed necessary for better control of the area. The present appearance of the castle dates back to the nineteenth century, however, when the ruins were restored they altered its appearance. The view that you will enjoy is fantastic: it is enlarged to the north, to the Riviera Valley dominated by lake Claro and towards the south it goes up to the Lake Maggiore in the Italian territory.

Montebello Castle

Montebello Castle

The Castle of Montebello is named after the hill on which it was built. From it branched off the walls that enclosed the ancient village. The keep and the palace was home to the Museum which houses weapons, firearms and archaeological finds.

Castelgrande

Castelgrande

Another hill, another castle: Castelgrande has an ancient history and is the first fortified settlement dating back to the fourth century AD. ‘The embattled city’, dominated by towers as high as 28 meters it is divided into three sectors. One of them comes off the rail that goes down in the city. From this castle the view is beautiful. It can be reached by climbing steep paths, Collegiate Square and Square Nosetto. The inner courtyard and Murata Sforza can also be visited in winter.

Travel photos: Dennis Camera, Dan Hyman, Michele Galante, Dany S., Simone Jahn, Joana Kruse, Dieu Van.