RoutesHiking trails & RoutesSwitzerlandTicino
Bellinzona Historic Centre – Montebello Castle loop from Bellinzona
RoutesHiking trails & RoutesSwitzerlandTicino
Bellinzona Historic Centre – Montebello Castle loop from Bellinzona
Easy
4.9
(31)
209
hikers
Bellinzona Historic Centre – Montebello Castle loop from Bellinzona
01:56
6.10km
230m
Hiking
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.
Last updated: February 13, 2026
Waypoints
A
Start point
Train Station
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1
608 m
Collegiate Church of Saints Peter and Stephen (Collegiata dei Santi Pietro e Stefano)
Highlight • Religious Site
Collegiate Church of Saints Peter and Stephen, Bellinzona
This Renaissance building was designed by a master, Tomaso Rodari from Maroggia (sculptor and architect of the Como Cathedral). The stately façade, constructed of dark Castione stone, dominates the high flight of steps and, between the small, early Renaissance-style side portals, encloses the magnificent main portal, decorated in the upper part with the city's coat of arms. Of particular interest is the large, twelve-pointed rose window (5 m in diameter), created in the late 15th or early 16th centuries. The single-nave interior dates from the 16th and 17th centuries. The church, dating from the 17th century, is rich in stucco work from the 17th century and features a double row of side chapels decorated with paintings from various centuries, predominantly from the 17th century, by famous artists such as Pier Francesco Mazzucchelli (known as Morazzone), Camillo Procaccini, and Bartolomeo Roverio (known as il Genovesino). Among the frescoes, the "Musical Angels" by Giuseppe Antonio Felice Orelli from Locarno, painted in 1770, is particularly noteworthy. The main altarpiece, a Crucifixion attributed to Simone Peterzano, is beautiful. Also worth seeing is the pulpit made of polished colored plaster (an imitation of precious marble), created in 1784, and the holy water font located at the entrance (to the left of the right side portal). This is also called the "fontana trivulziana" (Trivulziana Fountain) because in the 15th century it was a castle fountain owned by the Trivulzio family of Mesocco. A faithful replica of this gem of 15th-century Lombard sculpture stands in the Sforza Castle in Milan. The Collegiata, property of the city of Bellinzona, is the seat of the city center's Catholic parish. It is administered by a chapter of canons under an archpriest. The oratory of St. Martha leans against the northern side wall of the church. The interior consists of a rectangular hall, the walls of which were completely covered with frescoes by Varese painters in 1762. The vaulted ceiling is also painted and depicts the "Triumph of St. Martha," the saint whose 17th-century wooden statue sits enthroned on the marble altar consecrated in 1763.
Text / Source: Agenzia turistica ticinese SA., Via C. Ghiringhelli 7, Bellinzona
ticino.ch/de/commons/details/Stiftskirche-St-Pietro-e-Stefano/2841.html
This Renaissance building was designed by a master, Tomaso Rodari from Maroggia (sculptor and architect of the Como Cathedral). The stately façade, constructed of dark Castione stone, dominates the high flight of steps and, between the small, early Renaissance-style side portals, encloses the magnificent main portal, decorated in the upper part with the city's coat of arms. Of particular interest is the large, twelve-pointed rose window (5 m in diameter), created in the late 15th or early 16th centuries. The single-nave interior dates from the 16th and 17th centuries. The church, dating from the 17th century, is rich in stucco work from the 17th century and features a double row of side chapels decorated with paintings from various centuries, predominantly from the 17th century, by famous artists such as Pier Francesco Mazzucchelli (known as Morazzone), Camillo Procaccini, and Bartolomeo Roverio (known as il Genovesino). Among the frescoes, the "Musical Angels" by Giuseppe Antonio Felice Orelli from Locarno, painted in 1770, is particularly noteworthy. The main altarpiece, a Crucifixion attributed to Simone Peterzano, is beautiful. Also worth seeing is the pulpit made of polished colored plaster (an imitation of precious marble), created in 1784, and the holy water font located at the entrance (to the left of the right side portal). This is also called the "fontana trivulziana" (Trivulziana Fountain) because in the 15th century it was a castle fountain owned by the Trivulzio family of Mesocco. A faithful replica of this gem of 15th-century Lombard sculpture stands in the Sforza Castle in Milan. The Collegiata, property of the city of Bellinzona, is the seat of the city center's Catholic parish. It is administered by a chapter of canons under an archpriest. The oratory of St. Martha leans against the northern side wall of the church. The interior consists of a rectangular hall, the walls of which were completely covered with frescoes by Varese painters in 1762. The vaulted ceiling is also painted and depicts the "Triumph of St. Martha," the saint whose 17th-century wooden statue sits enthroned on the marble altar consecrated in 1763.
Text / Source: Agenzia turistica ticinese SA., Via C. Ghiringhelli 7, Bellinzona
ticino.ch/de/commons/details/Stiftskirche-St-Pietro-e-Stefano/2841.html
Translated by Google •
Tip by
2
655 m
Bellinzona Historic Centre
Highlight • Historical Site
Bellinzona is probably the most Italian city in Switzerland. The “skyline” of the Ticino capital is formed by the mighty fortress, which consists of three of the best preserved medieval castles in Switzerland - a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Translated by Google •
Tip by
3
701 m
Palazzo Civico Clock Tower
Highlight • Monument
4
765 m
Mendrisio Town Hall
Highlight • Historical Site
5
1.24 km
Bellinzona Ramparts
Highlight • Monument
Connected to the western part of Castel Grande, the bulwark completely blocked off the Ticino valley, guaranteeing the Duchy of Milan control of numerous alpine passes.
Although the origins of this mighty wall are not precisely documented, it is likely that an early barrier wall was erected in the aftermath of the conquest of Bellinzona Castle by the Visconti family in 1340. But it was only during the 1480s, that is, in the era of the Sforza family, that the bulwark was significantly reinforced and expanded in light of the growing expansionist aims of the Confederate. The complex was doubled through the construction of a second wall, thus creating the two passageways that can still be seen: one covered, about 4 meters high, and the other, in the form of an upper external walkway, equipped with battlements and embrasures.
In addition to forming a structure that served to defend and keep watch over the territory, the bulwark – along with its gate – was also an important point for controlling goods in transit to Bellinzona and other regional fairs. In the fifteenth century, the bulwark had its own castellan, who – not always successfully – watched out to ensure that the walls were not crossed for military or smuggling purposes.
Although the origins of this mighty wall are not precisely documented, it is likely that an early barrier wall was erected in the aftermath of the conquest of Bellinzona Castle by the Visconti family in 1340. But it was only during the 1480s, that is, in the era of the Sforza family, that the bulwark was significantly reinforced and expanded in light of the growing expansionist aims of the Confederate. The complex was doubled through the construction of a second wall, thus creating the two passageways that can still be seen: one covered, about 4 meters high, and the other, in the form of an upper external walkway, equipped with battlements and embrasures.
In addition to forming a structure that served to defend and keep watch over the territory, the bulwark – along with its gate – was also an important point for controlling goods in transit to Bellinzona and other regional fairs. In the fifteenth century, the bulwark had its own castellan, who – not always successfully – watched out to ensure that the walls were not crossed for military or smuggling purposes.
Tip by
6
1.47 km
Castelgrande Bellinzona
Highlight • Castle
The rock ridge of the Castelgrande consists of gneiss and rises almost 40 meters above the old town. On the north side, almost vertically sloping rock walls offer protection, on the south side, slightly less steep steps make access more difficult. At the top is a plateau divided into terraces with a diameter of 150 to 200 meters. The late medieval Bering rests for the most part on the Roman fort wall. The interior of the extensive castle area is largely empty, which is due to the removal of numerous buildings in the 15th century and the demolition of modern armory structures in the 20th century. In the Middle Ages, the area was divided into plots and densely built over.
Translated by Google •
Tip by
7
3.89 km
Sasso Corbaro Castle
Highlight • Castle
The castle of Sasso Corbaro is located on the sides of the left bank of the Ticino river, near Bellinzona. It was built in the late 1400s and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Tip by
8
5.08 km
Montebello Castle
Highlight • Castle
From the hill Montebello, where this castle towers 90 meters above the city, you can look down on the Castelgrande.
Here, the walls surrounding the old town and meeting with those who descended from the rock S. Michele shared. Parts of this curtain wall, which protected the northern and southern flanks of the huge triangular fortress, still exist today.
Interesting is the piece of the wall that appeared in the Piazza del Sole a few years ago, which was renovated as part of the redesign of this square. The castle, which was restored several times, dates from the 13th to the 14th century. Century. It was said to have been built by the Rusconi, who used it for a long time under the rule of the Visconti. The outer courtyards with their towers were built in the 14th and 15th century. Its current form was built and owed to the engineers of Sforza. Originally the castle was called Castel Piccolo.
Under the confederate occupation she was renamed Castle Schwyz and later, in 1818, renamed S. Martino. At the end of the 18th century, it came into the possession of the Ghiringhelli family. In 1903, on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the independence of Ticino, it was bought by the canton and restored for the first time.
The climb to the castle can be made on foot from Piazza Collegiata or Quartier Nocca; the paved access road branches off from Viale Stazione. The view over the Magadino level reaches to Lake Maggiore.
The Castello Montebello was restored between 1971 and 1974 by Mario Campi, Franco Pessina and Niki Piazzoli and houses the Regional Archaeological Museum.
ticino.ch/de/commons/details/Burg-Montebello/2796.html
Here, the walls surrounding the old town and meeting with those who descended from the rock S. Michele shared. Parts of this curtain wall, which protected the northern and southern flanks of the huge triangular fortress, still exist today.
Interesting is the piece of the wall that appeared in the Piazza del Sole a few years ago, which was renovated as part of the redesign of this square. The castle, which was restored several times, dates from the 13th to the 14th century. Century. It was said to have been built by the Rusconi, who used it for a long time under the rule of the Visconti. The outer courtyards with their towers were built in the 14th and 15th century. Its current form was built and owed to the engineers of Sforza. Originally the castle was called Castel Piccolo.
Under the confederate occupation she was renamed Castle Schwyz and later, in 1818, renamed S. Martino. At the end of the 18th century, it came into the possession of the Ghiringhelli family. In 1903, on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the independence of Ticino, it was bought by the canton and restored for the first time.
The climb to the castle can be made on foot from Piazza Collegiata or Quartier Nocca; the paved access road branches off from Viale Stazione. The view over the Magadino level reaches to Lake Maggiore.
The Castello Montebello was restored between 1971 and 1974 by Mario Campi, Franco Pessina and Niki Piazzoli and houses the Regional Archaeological Museum.
ticino.ch/de/commons/details/Burg-Montebello/2796.html
Translated by Google •
Tip by
B
6.10 km
End point
Train Station
Way Types & Surfaces
Way Types
2.50 km
1.56 km
1.40 km
637 m
Surfaces
3.58 km
1.00 km
748 m
380 m
316 m
< 100 m
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Highest point (440 m)
Lowest point (240 m)
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Saturday 9 May
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