The Castles of Bellinzona

Among the most famous monuments of Ticino are the impressive collection of medieval castles at Bellinzona, the capital of the canton, just north of Lugano. Castelgrande (home to an archaeological museum), Castello di Montebello and Castello di Sasso Corbaro are strung out along the original defensive wall, or Murata, which spans the Ticino valley. It's a reminder of the region's historic past at the centre of Europe and has been designated a World Heritage Site.