Castello Di Montebello

Castello di Montebello is the middle one of the three castles that overlook Bellinzona, standing on a rocky spur above the old town between Castelgrande and Sasso Corbaro. Together with Castelgrande and the town walls that link them, it forms part of Bellinzona’s UNESCO-listed fortress system, which guarded the road that leads from the Alpine passes toward Lombardy. Bellinzona was a key crossing point, and whoever controlled it controlled the movement of people and goods between north and south.

The castle’s core goes back to the Middle Ages, with parts dating from the 13th and 14th centuries, and tradition links it to the Rusca family of Como. In the late 15th century, when the rulers of Milan, the Sforza, reinforced their northern defences against the Swiss Confederates, Montebello was expanded with a second outer fortress, long walls and a strong gate. The resulting complex has a triangular outline, with a tall tower, ramparts and an inner courtyard. After the Swiss took over Bellinzona in 1503, the castles were given the names of Swiss cantons: Montebello was called Schwyz, in line with the other two castles. That period marks the shift from a contested border fortress to a seat of Swiss bailiffs.

The castle today is a pleasure to walk through. The route climbs through a series of fortified gates and courtyards, with ramparts that give views over the roofs of Bellinzona and the broad valley of the Ticino river. A museum inside the castle shows archaeology and the history of the town and its region, with finds from prehistoric times to the Middle Ages, along with weapons and everyday objects. Other displays explain how the castle was built and restored. The upper terraces make a good photo spot, especially in the late afternoon, and the walls give a clear sense of how the castle worked as a defensive system. Check the seasonal opening hours before you go, as the interior is not open all year, while the outer areas can usually be visited more freely.

The castle sits close to the other attractions listed for Bellinzona. Castelgrande, the largest of the three, is at the other end of the old town, while Sasso Corbaro, the highest, stands further up the hillside. A walk linking the castles gives a day of medieval history, and the Saturday market and the old centre lie below. The Fortini della Fame fortifications, a set of older defensive works, are also in the area.

Montebello gives a view of Ticino’s layered past and suits history lovers, families with children who enjoy castles and anyone who likes high viewpoints. Wear comfortable shoes, as the paths and stairs are steep and the cobbles can be uneven.