A natural centre for the defence of the walled city, protected by steep cliff faces, this very old castle can be seen from afar with its two square towers. From 1250-1500 it was surrounded by major fortifications that can be seen today. The buildings..

Built in the 13C by the powerful Rusca family, this losenge-shaped citadel became the property of the Viscontis in the following century. A drawbridge leads across the moat into the central part which is surrounded by 14-15C fortifications. The keep ..

Lake Maggiore and Lake Lugano benefit from an exceptionally mild climate for their latitude, thanks to the Alto Ticino mountains. At the southern extremity of the Alps, this protective barrier has never been an insurmountable obstacle for people, nei..

This church dedicated to St Peter and St Stephen is famous for its large Renaissance façade of Castione stone decorated with a rose window. The Baroque interior houses some fine interiors. The most famous is in the 5th chapel on the right and shows m..

The three castles, two of which (Castelgrande and Castello di Montebello) were once joined by walls that can still be seen, give an idea of the fortified buildings that once protected the city. Each castle houses a museum.

Reopened in October 1997 after considerable rebuilding, this theatre is unique in Switzerland for its style with an elegant façade decorated with four pilasters with capitals on the upper level. The theatre can seat 300 people.

A walk through the old centre of Bellinzona includes some pleasant surprises such as Piazza Nosetto, lined with arcades, where a busy market is held on Saturdays that is famous throughout the region, as well as the Palazzo Civico, an Italian Renaissa..

This peaceful suburb of Bellinzona contains two very interesting churches - Santa Maria della Grazie (late 15C-early 16C), which contains some fine frescos, and San Biagio, a small medieval church that is famous for its murals. Nearby stands the Vill..

This cosy house stands in a pleasant park in the suburb of Ravecchia and contains collections mainly devoted to Swiss and Italian figurative art of the 19-20C. Among the works here, many of which were donated, there are some by Chiesa, Franzoni, Ross..

Built in the 15C on the orders of the Duke of Milan to reinforce the protections for the town that were deemed to be too weak, the highest of the three castles is a square shape. The keep contains collections of the museum of Popular Arts and Traditi..