Beyond Australia: Bellinzona, Ticino

Glenn and Katrin, Castle Grande

Bellinzona has three castles, all of which are UNESCO World Heritage sites. They are at different levels on the hillside so you can see them all at once. For centuries, since the Roman era, it was an important strategic position between the Italians and the Swiss/ German rulers and changed hands many times. We discovered this in an excellent film we saw at Castle Grande, the lowest of the three castles. The other two castles are called Montebello (it has an outer and and inner drawbridge and an excellent collection of archeological artifacts) and Sasso Corbaro (where we saw a photographic exhibition, photos taken locally in the 1930s). The walls and ramparts can be seen from everywhere in the old town as a backdrop. We had dinner at a restuarant where you walk in from street level, through the service area and up on to a terrace where the view is a small vineyard and the castle wall. It was such a delight we went back the second night we were there. It was also full moon when we were in Ballinzona and as a bonus there we chanced on a free concert one night with duo of skillful musicians, a violinist and a piano accordianist.

We visited all three castles, Castle Grande on the first day and the other two on the second day. Glenn said, when we first talked about going to other two, that there is a bus service that takes you up the mountain. But somehow we ended up walking. I don't know how that happened!! But I made it and it was worth it.

Can you tell that I really liked Bellinzona? i just might have added too many photos to this post. I hope it loads in your browser!