Three Castles of Bellinzona: Switzerland’s Medieval Game of Thrones

Bellinzona, Switzerland

There are castles, and then there are the Three Castles of Bellinzona. Rising dramatically above the Ticino valley, these fortresses and their defensive walls look as though they have been lifted straight from the storyboard of a medieval epic. They were not built for show but for survival, standing guard over the main Alpine route between northern and southern Europe. Today, they are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, but once upon a time, they were the medieval equivalent of high-stakes border security. Switzerland has never been shy about multitasking: here, breathtaking scenery comes with built-in fortifications.

Fortresses with a Purpose

The castles (Castelgrande, Montebello, and Sasso Corbaro) did not exist to make fairy tales prettier. They were hard-nosed fortresses, built and reinforced over centuries to control access through the valley. Anyone wanting to move from Milan to the north had to reckon with them. This was less a scenic detour and more a stone-walled "not so fast." The message was clear: pass through at your peril unless you were willing to pay the toll or face the soldiers within.

Castelgrande: The Original Powerhouse

Perched on a rocky outcrop, Castelgrande is the elder statesman of the trio. Occupied since prehistoric times, it was heavily fortified by the Dukes of Milan in the 15th century. With its imposing towers and commanding views over the Ticino valley, it was the nerve centre of Bellinzona’s defences. Today, it is also the most accessible, with lifts that whisk visitors from the town centre straight up to its gates. A fortress with escalator access? Only in Switzerland.

Montebello: The Sophisticated Middle Child

Just to the east lies Montebello, the most elegant of the three. Surrounded by deep moats and layered walls, it looks every inch the storybook castle, except its purpose was deadly serious. Archaeological finds show earlier medieval origins, but the fortress reached its prime in the 15th century when the Dukes of Milan made it a bulwark against northern incursions. Today, it houses a museum full of medieval artefacts, proving that even castles cannot resist a side hustle in curation.

Sasso Corbaro: The Last-Minute Stronghold

Sitting on higher ground to the south-east, Sasso Corbaro is the latecomer, built in a hurry in 1479 when Milan’s rulers realised the other two castles might not be enough. Thrown together in just six months, it was proof that medieval contractors could move faster than modern ones when sufficiently motivated. Its isolated position offers the best panoramic views of Bellinzona and the surrounding Alps, perfect for spotting incoming enemies or, in today’s case, incoming tourists with cameras.

A Wall with a Statement

Linking these castles was a formidable system of defensive walls and ramparts, cutting straight across the valley to block invaders. Imagine arriving in the 15th century with dreams of conquest, only to find a giant wall glaring back at you. Bellinzona’s message was plain: if you wanted to march through, you were either very brave, very foolish, or very well-funded.

Why UNESCO Took Notice

Bellinzona’s fortifications are not just striking; they are a rare surviving example of late medieval military architecture in the Alpine region. Unlike many castles that fell into disrepair or were prettified for romance, these fortresses remain unapologetically martial. UNESCO recognised them in 2000 for their exceptional state of preservation and their significance in controlling one of Europe’s most important trade and military corridors. In short, they are living proof that Switzerland’s neutrality was built on stone walls, not just good manners.

Travel Tips for the Curious Castle-Hopper

• Start at Castelgrande. It is the largest and easiest to reach, with museums, exhibitions, and, conveniently, a restaurant serving Ticino specialities.

• Save Montebello for the afternoon. The museum of medieval finds gives context to what you are walking through, and the castle’s moats are perfect for dramatic photos.

• Finish at Sasso Corbaro. The steep climb (or short bus ride) is rewarded with sweeping alpine views that make the climb feel almost medieval in itself.

• Time your visit for summer. Medieval festivals, jousts, and re-enactments occasionally transform the castles into living history stages.

• Walk the walls. The ramparts connect the castles and give you a sense of how impregnable this valley once was.

Why You Should Go

The Three Castles of Bellinzona are not just relics of a turbulent past. They are monuments to power, endurance, and the eternal human instinct to build something imposing when feeling threatened. They remind us that the Middle Ages were less about knights in shining armour and more about stone, sweat, and strategic paranoia. If you have ever wanted to wander through a real-life set of fortifications that look ready-made for a medieval drama, Bellinzona is your destination.

Artistic interpretation - details may differ from the actual location.