World Heritage Photos

Three Castles, Defensive Wall and Ramparts of the Market-Town of Bellinzona: Bellinzona is famous for its defensive wall and three castles: Castelgrande, Montebello, and Sasso Corbaro. These three castles are unique in the Alpine areas. Castelgrande was built in the 12th century and stands on a rock 50 metres above the town of Bellinzona. This castle can be reached via a footpath, by road and even by a modern lift. Montebello stands on a wooded hill 90 metres above the town; this imposing castle was built in the 13th century. The 15th-century Sasso Corbaro was built on an isolated rock and stands at an impressive height of 230 metres above Bellinzona. These three impressive castles and their defensive walls and ramparts are situated in and around Bellinzona, the capital of Ticino, the southernmost canton of Switzerland. The fortifications of Bellinzona are situated in strategic locations in the Swiss Alps. These striking fortifications are among the most important examples of medieval defensive architecture in Europe. Bellinzona is located in the south of Switzerland, about 50 km from the UNESCO World Heritage Site Monte San Giorgio. The Three Castles, Defensive Wall and Ramparts of the Market-Town of Bellinzona were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000.

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   Castelgrande viewed from Montebello Castle. The impressive 13th-century Castelgrande is one of the three magnificent castles of Bellinzona, often called the most Italian town in Switzerland. This strongly fortified structure is also known as Castello di San Michele or Burg Uri. The unique Three Castles, Defensive Wall and Ramparts of the Market-Town of Bellinzona were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000.

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   Three Castles, Defensive Wall and Ramparts of the Market-Town of Bellinzona: Castelgrande was built in the 12th century. This outstanding fortress stands on a rocky outcrop 50 metres above the market town of Bellinzona. From the town, the remarkable structure can be reached by a steep, narrow footpath or by road; it can also be reached by a lift. This impressive castle gives a vivid impression of a medieval stronghold.

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   Three Castles, Defensive Wall and Ramparts of the Market-Town of Bellinzona: Castelgrande and its Torre Bianca and Torre Nera, the White Tower and Black Tower, viewed from one of the surrounding rocks. The two iconic towers were built during the 13th and 14th centuries. The 27-metre-high White Tower and the 28-metre-high Black Tower played a vital role in the defence of the castle. Both towers offer breathtaking views over the Ticino Valley and the Alps.

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   Three Castles, Defensive Wall and Ramparts of the Market-Town of Bellinzona: One of the three courtyards of Castelgrande. The walls separating the courtyards were built in the 14th century and the western defensive walls of the castle were connected to the town walls. The renowned Three Castles, the impressive defensive wall and the ramparts of Bellinzona are situated at the entrance of the Mediterranean Ticino Valley in the Swiss Alps.

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   The Three Castles, Defensive Wall and Ramparts of Bellinzona: Castelgrande and its courtyards viewed from Montebello Castle, on the left a section of the defensive wall, called the 'Murata'. The 12th-century Castelgrande is the largest of the three castles. The circular enclosure of this huge fortified structure is divided into courtyards by three walls. These courtyards were used for storing supplies, military manoeuvres and housing troops.

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   Three Castles, Defensive Wall and Ramparts of the Market-Town of Bellinzona: The impressive 'Murata' viewed from the medieval Castelgrande. The 'Murata' is the massive stone wall at the western boundary of Castelgrande. The defensive 'Murata' was built atop a rocky ridge in the 15th century; it was part of the fortifications of the town and separated the Ticino Valley from the remainder of Switzerland.

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   Three Castles, Defensive Wall and Ramparts of the Market-Town of Bellinzona: One of the huge defensive towers of Montebello; the castle is connected to the castles of Castelgrande and Sasso Corbaro by a strong defensive wall, the 'Murata'. Montebello was, unlike the other two castles, also defended by ditches. This medieval structure currently houses a museum with outstanding archaeological and weaponry collections.

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   The Three Castles, Defensive Wall and Ramparts of the Market-Town of Bellinzona: Montebello and the unique fortified wall. This small castle is also known as Schwyz Castle or San Martino; it is set upon Montebello Hill. The fortifications of the market town of Bellinzona are among the most important examples of medieval defensive architecture in Europe. Bellinzona is situated in the far south of Switzerland.

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   Three Castles, Defensive Wall and Ramparts of the Market-Town of Bellinzona: The 15th-century gateway of Montebello. The castle itself was built in the 13th century and expanded between 1462 and 1490 to its current state. Montebello is named after the hill on which it stands. This medieval structure is situated 90 metres above Bellinzona and Castelgrande. During the Middle Ages, it was also known as the 'Middle Castle' or the 'New Castle'.

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    Three Castles, Defensive Wall and Ramparts of the Market-Town of Bellinzona: The inner courtyard of Montebello viewed from the castle wall walk. The castle was expanded in the 15th century. The inner donjon dates back from at least 1313. Montebello Castle is surrounded by extensive defensive walls and a deep moat. The Three Castles of Bellinzona are among the best-preserved medieval castles in Switzerland.

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    Three Castles, Defensive Wall and Ramparts of the Market-Town of Bellinzona: The town, the castles of Montebello and Castelgrande, and their connecting wall viewed from Sasso Corbaro, the smallest of the three castles. Castelgrande currently houses an archaeological museum and an art museum. Bellinzona is the capital of the Swiss canton of Ticino; the town is famous for its defensive walls and the Three Castles: Castelgrande, Montebello and Sasso Corbaro.

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    Three Castles, Defensive Wall and Ramparts of the Market-Town of Bellinzona: Montebello Castle viewed from Sasso Corbaro Castle. Sasso Corbaro is situated 230 metres above the town of Bellinzona. The dominant position of this unique structure provided better protection for the Ticino Valley and Bellinzona. Founded in 590 as the town of Belitio, Bellinzona is situated in Switzerland's southernmost canton, on the banks of the River Ticino.

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    Three Castles, Defensive Wall and Ramparts of the Market-Town of Bellinzona: The fortified wall between the Three Castles Montebello, Castelgrande and Sasso Corbaro. The impressive Sasso Corbaro is situated on a wooded and isolated outcrop, high above the town. The Three Castles, Defensive Wall and Ramparts of the Market-Town of Bellinzona were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2000.

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    Three Castles, Defensive Wall and Ramparts of the Market-Town of Bellinzona: The 15th-century Castello di Sasso Corbaro (Sasso Corbaro Castle). This unique castle is surrounded by massive walls; some parts of these walls are 4.7 metres thick. This imposing structure was built in 1479 in just over six months. The lookout tower is set in the castle's courtyard. This formidable castle stands on the highest point of a wooded hillside near the market town of Bellinzona.

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    Three Castles, Defensive Wall and Ramparts of the Market-Town of Bellinzona: Sasso Corbaro Castle was built on an isolated rock. The lookout tower on the south side of the castle is almost completely intact and offers breathtaking views of the Ticino Valley and the three castles of the market town of Bellinzona. Sasso Corbaro was once known as Unterwalden or Santa Barbara. This medieval structure is the smallest of the three castles.