Bellinzona is the capital of the southern Swiss canton of Ticino. It is known for its three medieval castles. These include Castel Grande and Castello di Sasso Corbaro. Both castles offer views of the town, the surrounding Alps and Castello di Montebello, the third castle.
Every Saturday, there is a weekly market in the old town.
Via Torre leads to Piazza del Sole. There is a lift there which goes up to Castel Grande.
Collegiate Church of St Pietro and St Stefano
The Collegiata dei Santi Pietro e Stefano in Bellinzona is a Renaissance gem featuring Baroque elements and serves as the seat of the town’s parish. It houses works of art dating from the 15th to the 19th century, including the famous Fontana Trivulzio from 1465 and an organ whose origins date back to 1588. Built on the foundations of older churches between 1515 and 1543, its façade and interior have been enriched over the centuries by the work of notable artists and craftsmen such as Rodari, Caresana and many others, resulting in a fascinating blend of styles and decorations, including stucco work, frescoes and sculptures.
View from the church towards Piazza Collegiata
Palazzo Civico
From the Collegiata church, the route continues under the arcades to Piazza Nosetto, which is dominated by the imposing Palazzo Civico (town hall). Although it appears to be Renaissance in style, it was built at the beginning of the 20th century using materials from the previous building, which dated from the 15th century.
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Piazza Nosetto with its weekly market
You then follow Via Camminata to Piazza Indipendenza, with its obelisk, which was erected in 1903 to mark the centenary of Ticino’s accession to the Swiss Confederation.
At the far end of Piazza Indipendenza, you can see the city walls and the Castello di Montebello.
The three castles of Bellinzona, with their imposing fortifications and the impressive ‘Murata’ defensive wall, have been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Santa Maria delle Gracie
The Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie was built at the end of the 15th century and formed part of a Franciscan monastery that was dissolved in the middle of the last century. The interior, which is divided by a wide transept – as was customary in Franciscan churches – is striking for its spatial harmony. The transverse wall is covered by a large Renaissance fresco. At its centre is a Crucifixion, and the life of Christ is depicted in fifteen panels arranged around it. We owe this work to a talented, though unfortunately unknown, Lombard painter who created it between 1495 and 1505.
Another beautiful fresco can be found in the chapel on the right, beneath the large mural. It is dedicated to the Dormitio Mariae, which is venerated here; a wooden carved figure of the sleeping Virgin Mary can be seen inside an ornate, gilded urn. The fresco is attributed to an artist from the circle of Gaudenzio Ferrari.
