Castle of Bellizona
With the mighty walls, towers, battlements and gates
The castles of Bellinzona are one of Ticino’s main attractions, and are the only medieval military complex in the Alpine region, with the old walls still standing. In 2000 they became a part of UNESCO’s World Heritages. A visit to the castles teaches a lot in history with the splendor of the fortifications with their high towers and crenulated walls. The walk inside the historic center of Bellinzona is also of interest, particularly on Saturdays, when you can see the local market. There are also Audio Guides available.
The strategic location of Bellinzona at the crossroads of the alpine routes linking the north to the south is the reason why a significant defensive project with three castles, towers and city walls was constructed around the year 400. The Dukes of Milan blocked the valley of the Ticino River. It was designed to prevent the South from gaining ground by the Swiss Confederates. The only entrance to the north is this passage at the narrowing point of the valley.
Castelgrande
You can take the elevator from Piazza del Sole, or walk up the streets which begin at the center of the town in the Collegiata, to access the first castle Castelgrande. The small tourist train leaving Piazza Collegiata, like the other castles, is accessible also. Two high towers and crenulated walls, which were partially accessible on foot, have been fitted to Castelgrande, which was subjected to an effective renovation led by Architect Aürlio Galfettti in the 1980s and 1990s. It houses a museum of the city history and a restaurant run by the Tourism School Canton Ticino.
Montebello
From Castelgrande you can enter Montebello Castle, situated on the opposite hill, by heading down the stairway leading up to Piazza Collegiata and climbing up the street adjacent to the church of the name. The castle comes to life during the Spring Event La Spada nelle Rocca where ladies, horsemen, archers and musicians in beautiful costumes can be seen along the walls This castle also houses a history and archaeology museum.
Sasso Corbaro
The third castle, Sasso Corbaro, dominates the city and enjoys a stunning view from above. From Montebello, it can be reached by following the stretches of trails through the vineyards and the stretches of road, which are also accessible by car. It houses exhibition halls and an impressive restaurant.
General information
| Season | All year |
| Time required | 2 to 4 hours (half day) |
| Suitable for children with age | 10 to 13 years, 14+ years |
| Suitable for | Families, Groups, Individual, Couples |
| Weather | Indoor and outdoor |
| Category | Culture, Education, Urban |
Bellinzona Pass
- FEATURES
Available from 01.04.2021 – 07.11.2021
DESCRIPTION
The Bellinzona Pass is an entrance ticket to the Three Castles of Bellinzona, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2000, and the civic museum Villa dei Cedri (opening days: from wednesday to sunday).
TICKET INCLUDES
- Entrance to the Castles of Bellinzona
- Entrance to museums, permanent and temporary exhibitions of the Castles
- Entrance to Villa dei Cedri
PARTNERSHIP
As added value to the Bellinzona Pass, partnerships with some of the most important tourist attractions in the Canton have been developed. This reciprocal collaboration is specific to:
- Cable car Monte Carasso Mornera 20% (Tibetan Bridge)
- Fossil Museum of the Monte San Giorgio 20%
Benefit from a 20% discount on the Bellinzona Pass by presenting an entrance ticket from one of the above mentioned attractions at one of the ticket counters of the Bellinzona Castles.
| Bellinzona Pass | |
| Adults | CHF 28.- |
| Families | CHF 70.- |
| Reduced (AHV, students, groups) | CHF 18.- |
| Children (until 6 years old) |
Free |
Location: Bellinzona
May 13
8:00 am
11.58 °C
May 13
11:00 am
12.21 °C
May 13
2:00 pm
14.45 °C
May 13
5:00 pm
16.01 °C
Address
Salita Castelgrande 18, 6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland
Opening Time
| Sunday | 9 AM – 5 PM |
| Monday | 9 AM – 5 PM |
| Tuesday | 9 AM – 5 PM |
| Wednesday | 9 AM – 5 PM |
| Thursday | 9 AM – 5 PM |
| Friday | 9 AM – 5 PM |
| Saturday | 9 AM – 5PM |
| Sunday | 9 AM – 5 PM |
Tickets
Swiss travel pass
Duration
Around one and a half hours
Location: Bellinzona
2:00 am
May 14
10.28 °C 91 % 1017 hPa 1.11 m/s 14 deg
overcast clouds
5:00 am
May 14
9.66 °C 100 % 1016 hPa 2.06 m/s 4 deg
overcast clouds
8:00 am
May 14
13.01 °C 96 % 1013 hPa 0.76 m/s 338 deg
overcast clouds
11:00 am
May 14
17.42 °C 98 % 1011 hPa 1.09 m/s 224 deg
light rain
2:00 pm
May 14
17.8 °C 98 % 1009 hPa 1.74 m/s 199 deg
light rain
5:00 pm
May 14
16.33 °C 100 % 1009 hPa 1.58 m/s 203 deg
light rain
8:00 pm
May 14
14.12 °C 100 % 1010 hPa 0.86 m/s 254 deg
light rain
11:00 pm
May 14
10.82 °C 66 % 1012 hPa 2.08 m/s 359 deg
light rain
2:00 am
May 15
10.32 °C 73 % 1011 hPa 2.5 m/s 12 deg
broken clouds
5:00 am
May 15
9.4 °C 8 % 1011 hPa 2.98 m/s 14 deg
clear sky
8:00 am
May 15
13.9 °C 36 % 1009 hPa 2.29 m/s 10 deg
scattered clouds
11:00 am
May 15
20.01 °C 14 % 1006 hPa 2.06 m/s 358 deg
few clouds
2:00 pm
May 15
23.23 °C 26 % 1005 hPa 0.23 m/s 256 deg
scattered clouds
5:00 pm
May 15
22.35 °C 79 % 1003 hPa 1.3 m/s 197 deg
light rain
8:00 pm
May 15
16.53 °C 78 % 1005 hPa 0.21 m/s 155 deg
light rain
11:00 pm
May 15
12.64 °C 92 % 1007 hPa 2.51 m/s 17 deg
light rain
2:00 am
May 16
11.78 °C 96 % 1006 hPa 2.97 m/s 7 deg
light rain
5:00 am
May 16
11.47 °C 98 % 1004 hPa 3.17 m/s 8 deg
overcast clouds
8:00 am
May 16
14.65 °C 99 % 1002 hPa 3.11 m/s 1 deg
overcast clouds
11:00 am
May 16
15.96 °C 100 % 1001 hPa 3.01 m/s 12 deg
overcast clouds
2:00 pm
May 16
18.1 °C 100 % 1000 hPa 3.3 m/s 356 deg
light rain
5:00 pm
May 16
17.71 °C 100 % 1001 hPa 3.62 m/s 7 deg
overcast clouds
8:00 pm
May 16
13.99 °C 100 % 1003 hPa 3.38 m/s 356 deg
overcast clouds
11:00 pm
May 16
11.43 °C 100 % 1006 hPa 3.35 m/s 1 deg
overcast clouds
2:00 am
May 17
10.76 °C 100 % 1007 hPa 3.13 m/s 3 deg
overcast clouds
5:00 am
May 17
10.58 °C 100 % 1008 hPa 2.9 m/s 3 deg
overcast clouds
8:00 am
May 17
12.62 °C 100 % 1009 hPa 2.17 m/s 351 deg
overcast clouds
11:00 am
May 17
14.38 °C 100 % 1009 hPa 1.25 m/s 352 deg
light rain
2:00 pm
May 17
13.27 °C 100 % 1011 hPa 1.19 m/s 351 deg
light rain
5:00 pm
May 17
14.4 °C 100 % 1011 hPa 1.26 m/s 18 deg
light rain
8:00 pm
May 17
14.13 °C 100 % 1012 hPa 0.23 m/s 120 deg
overcast clouds
11:00 pm
May 17
11.81 °C 95 % 1015 hPa 1.8 m/s 31 deg
overcast clouds
2:00 am
May 18
11.8 °C 93 % 1015 hPa 1.51 m/s 29 deg
overcast clouds
5:00 am
May 18
11.85 °C 94 % 1015 hPa 1.13 m/s 31 deg
overcast clouds