A night view of the three illuminated castles, which have been a Unesco site since 2000. Castelgrande, front, was renovated by local architect Aurelio Galfetti.
(Keystone/Martial Trezzini)
Looking down onto the defensive wall from a crack in Castelgrande’s walls.
(Keystone/Martial Trezzini)
Keystone
Underground passages in Castelgrande.
(Keystone/Martial Trezzini)
Keystone
Modern visitors can use the lift to reach the Castelgrande but in medieval times people came via the south, using this door in the city wall.
(Keystone/Martial Trezzini)
Keystone
Castelgrande is divided into three big courtyards. These are separated by walls which start at the 13th century Black Tower.
(Keystone/Karl Mathis)
Keystone
The old defensive wall and vines at the foot of the Castelgrande.
(swiss-image.ch/Remy Steinegger)
swiss-image
A splendid aerial view of Montebello Castle.
(ETH Zürich)
Montebello Castle, also called the Middle Castle, hosts many cultural events.
(wikipedia/Peter Berger)
Montebello Castle, with its stairs and secret corners.
(Own work /Franz Clemens)
Montebello Castle also hosts medieval fairs for the public.
(swiss-image.ch/Remy Steinegger)
swiss-image
Crowds turn out for one of the events, called La Spada nella Rocca or the sword in the stone.
(swiss-image.ch/Remy Steinegger)
swiss-image
The castles of Montebello and Sasso Corbaro in Bellinzona.
(Massimo Macconi)
Sasso Corbaro’s tower has been admirably restored by local architect Paola Piffaretti.
(wikipedia/Clemensfranz)
Sasso Corbaro’s restoration has been accompanied by landscape work, aimed at offsetting the site’s beauty.
(wikipedia/Clemensfranz)
Ancient guardians of the city.
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Castelgrande, Montebello and Sasso Corbaro are the names of the three Bellinzona castles on the Unesco World Heritage list. A great tourist attraction, the castles are considered great examples of fortified medieval architecture in Switzerland.
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