Castles of Bellinzona - 4 Things to Know Before Visiting

The castle of Montebello is located in Bellinzona. Its previous names were "little castle", "New Castle" and "middle castle" from the fourteenth to 1506, then Castle of Schwyz until 1818 and finally to San Martino Castle. The medieval complex to which it belongs, which includes Castelgrande, Sasso Corbaro and the walls connecting them, since 2000 is part of the UNESCO. Today it houses the Archaeology and History Section of the Municipal Museum of the city's origins.

The church of San Bernardo di Mentone is a religious building located in Bellinzona, in the Canton of Ticino. Built at the end of the 11th century, it was enlarged in the 15th century. In the 16th century, the bell tower, the portico in front of the facade, and an internal chapel were built. The church has a single nave plan covered by an exposed beam ceiling. The interior is almost completely covered with frescoes.

Monte Bar is a mountain of the Lugano Prealps, located north of Lugano in the canton of Ticino, Switzerland. It lies on the range west of the Gazzirola, between the Val d'Isone and the Val Colla. A panoramic tour in the hills where you come across pastures, a typical Alpine hut, a lodge, a farm and a mountain meadow. This is one of the classic mountain bike paths of the Lugano region situated on the slopes of Monte Bar, where there’s an alpine hut with the same name, with “Bike Friendly” service

Gazzirola is an imposing mountain, from whose top there are three ridges. From the south-western side of the mountain rises the Cassarate river which forms the Val Colla. It was a nice place which is blessed with natural beauty and also it gives some opportunities for some adventure activities too.

Pizzo di Vogorno is a beautiful Pyramid shaped mountain located in the Italian part of Switzerland: Ticino. It is often called the 'Home mountain' of Locarno. Vogorno towers high above this famous city since the altitude difference between summit and city is over 2200 meters. Vogorno is one of the most popular climbing destinations in the Verzasca region.

Pizzo di Claro is a fine pyramid-shaped mountain towering high above the village of Claro as well as the city of Bellinzona with an altitude of 2727 meters above sea level. Climbing Pizzo di Claro is not for those without patience. The low elevation of the valley floors in the region creates a big altitude difference with the mountain's summits. A small lake lies west of the summit at 2,198 meters, Lago Canee. Marked trails lead to the summit from both sides, the shortest route starting from ab