One. Two. Three castles at once.

The Castles of Bellinzona are a group of fortifications located around the town of Bellinzona, the capital of the Swiss canton of Ticino. Situated on the Alpine foothills, the group is composed of fortified walls and three castles named Castelgrande, Montebello and Sasso Corbaro.

Unique within the Alps, the three castles of Bellinzona are one of the main attractions of Ticino and have been listed UNESCO World Heritage sites since the year 2000. With its bastions, walls, towers, battlements and gates, this imposing fortification is truly a sight to behold.

Castelgrande, also known as Castello di San Michele or Uri Castle, is the oldest of these 13th-century castles. Two towers, Torre Nera (28 metres) and Torre Bianca (27 metres), dominate Bellinzona’s old town. The Archaeological Museum and the Museum of Art are housed in the Castelgrande. 

Castello Montebello, also known as Schwyz or San Martino, and the castle with the highest elevation.

Sasso Corbaro, sometimes also called Unterwalden or Santa Barbara, are among the best preserved medieval castles in Switzerland and are UNESCO World Heritage sites.