Bellinzona tourist information
Because of its unique geographical position, Bellinzona was once seen from the south as the "key to the Alps" and from the north as the "key to taly".Today, its rich historical heritage, left from the Middle Ages, still lives on behind the austere charm of this Lombard town in the foothills of the Alps.
Once a fortified barrier at the gateway to the Alps, now a UNESCO World Heritage site.
These fortresses number among the finest examples of medieval fortification architecture in the alpine region. As they appear today, Bellinzona's fortifications, whose origins actually go much further back to a prehistoric settlement on Castelgrande hill, are mainly the result of intensive and complex building activity undertaken by the Dukes of Milan in the 15th century. The contruction of powerful defence installations, which effectively formed a barrier right across the Ticino valley floor to halt the advance of the confederates, dates back to this period in history. These battlements, towers and gateway, included in the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2000, are still a source of wonder today.
From a gastronomic point of view, the region of Bellinzona is an appealing region and its culinary delights are well-known. Its tradition as land of great chefs looks back on Medieval times and is confirmed by numerous restaurants, which have been awarded stars, suns and chef’s hats by the major gastronomic guides. Of course there’s more to life than Haute Cuisine: in Grottoes and Canvetti (rural, simple taverns in Ticinese architecture) mainly typical dishes are prepared emphasizing local products and which can hardly be tasted elsewhere.
Bellinzona aerial map
Please click on any icon on the Bellinzona aerial tourist map, to find close by places, offering hotels and tourist information. You can zoom in and zoom out our touristical map as well as switch between satelite and map view of Bellinzona.
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