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Bellinzona Turismo

Palazzo Civico – Piazza Nosetto

6501 Bellinzona

T +41 (0)91 825 21 31

F +41 (0)91 821 41 20

[email protected]

http://www.bellinzonaturismo.ch

Bellinzona (German: Bellenz) is strategically positioned where the valley narrows on the way to the

Alpine passes of St. Gotthard, San Bernardino and Lucomagno (Lukmanier). The town acts as a

gateway to Italy for those travelling from the North, and the keyhole to the Alps for those coming from

the South.

The picturesque corners and squares, the courtyards and the neo-Classical, Italian-style theatre,

and the sympathetically restored old houses tell visitors the history of what is culturally a Lombardy

town. In its alleyways are richly decorated patrician houses and beautiful churches. Yet behind the

austere charm of the medieval town is all the dynamic life of a modern meeting-place. Numerous

boutiques, cafés and specialist shops offering culinary delicacies invite you to linger and window-

shop. Each Saturday there is a big weekly market on the Piazza Nosetto.

BellinzonaBellinzona is probably Switzerland's most Italianate town. The skyline of the capital of Ticino is defined by the powerful fortifications, comprising three of the best-preserved medieval castles in Switzerland, which are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

200 m

1000 ft

© MySwitzerland.com - Schweiz Tourismus - /12

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General Info

Important holidays 2012 in Bellinzona01. Jan 2012 Su New Year� s Day

06. Jan 2012 Fr Epiphany

22. Feb 2012 We Ash Wednesday

08. Apr 2012 Su Easter

09. Apr 2012 Mo Easter Monday

17. May 2012 Th Ascension Day

27. May 2012 Su Whitsun

01. Aug 2012 We Swiss National Holiday

15. Aug 2012 We Assumption Day

01. Nov 2012 Th All Saints´ Day

25. Dec 2012 Tu Christmas

26. Dec 2012 We St. Stephen´s Day

Opening hours

Shops/shopping

Monday - Friday: 9 am - 6.30 pm

Saturday: 9 am - 6 pm

Late night shopping: Thursday, 9 am - 8 pm

Banks and currency exchange

Monday - Friday: 9 am - 4.30 pm

Saturday: closed

Public authorities and offices

Monday - Friday: 8.30 am - 12 noon / 1.30

pm - 5.30 pm

Saturday: closed

Canton: Ticino

Postcode/ZIP: 6500 - 6501

Altitude: 243 m

Population: 18,000

Language: Italienisch

Important phone numbers

Emergency calls:

117 Police

118 Fire

144 Ambulance

1414 Swiss heli rescue

General information:

1811 General information such as eg

doctors, theater, etc.

140 Breakdown Service

162 Weather Information

163 Road conditions

187 Avalanche Bulletin

The fortifications of Bellinzona are among the most important examples of medieval defensive

architecture in the Alps, and have been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since the year

2000. From the Castelgrande, Bellinzona's oldest and mightiest castle, there is a beautiful view over

the Old Town and the surrounding area. A little museum in the Castelgrande documents the history

of Bellinzona's castles and town centre. There are also museums in the other two castles.

It was the Romans who realised the strategic importance of the site, and first built a castle here, in

the first century A.D. In the Middle Ages this was extended to form a long, impregnable fortress.

Because of its location, Bellinzona was always a bone of contention between the Dukes of Milan and

the Swiss. It was only in 1516 that the town first became part of the Swiss Federation.

Bellinzona is ideally located for excursions to the nearby holiday resorts of Locarno and Ascona, over

Monte Ceneri to the southern Tessin with its main town, Lugano, up the romantic side valleys of the

Tessin or northwards into the Leventina, with the Bedretto valley, or into the sunny Blenio valley.

Highlights

● Three castles – the medieval fortifications, with the castles of Castelgrande, Castello di

Montebello and Castello di Sasso Corbaro, are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

● Villa dei Cedri – municipal art gallery with Swiss and Italian paintings from late 19th and early

20th century, as well as contemporary art. There is a particular focus on artists from the local

area.

● Old Town – in the area around the Piazza Nosetto, Via del Teatro and Piazza del Governo, the

Old Town boasts a wealth of beautiful merchants' houses, stone gateways, balconies with

wrought iron railings and inn signs from a bygone era.

● Teatro Sociale – inspired by La Scala in Milan, the building is in the typically Italian Classical

style, and is the only theatre in Switzerland to have been preserved from the 19th century.

● Modern architecture in Bellinzona – in the Castelgrande , the architect Aurelio Galfetti has

cleverly integrated a boldly designed restaurant, while the Convento delle Agostiniane on the

Monte Carasso has been converted into a modern training centre by the architect Luigi Snozzi.

Top Events

● Carnevale Rabadan Bellinzona – highly traditional carnival, with a big masked procession, street

performers and masked balls (February).

● Open-air cinema in the Castelgrande – at the castle, in a romantic setting under the stars (Juni).

● Piazza Blues Festival – for a few days, Bellinzona becomes the blues Mecca of Switzerland,

with international stars (June).

● Bacchica Bellinzonese – traditional wine-growers' festival with a procession in national dress,

wine-tasting, theatre and lots of music (September).

● Cheese market – autumn festival with fresh produce, cheese and wine produced by Ticino

farmers (October).

● Castellinaria Youth Film Festival – the spotlight is on children and young people in the films

shown here (November).

● Christmas market - in the Old Town of Bellinzona (December).


A perfect day in Bellinzona.Bellinzona’s mighty fortifications were built in the late Middle Ages to seal off the valley. Today the “Tre Castelli” are the symbol of Ticino’s capital, and form a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The largest of the three castles, Castelgrande, was restored in 1991 and is easy to reach from the Old Town by lift. Montebello and Sasso Corbaro house museums that relate the town’s rich history.

09:00A place to lift the soul

You do not to need to be a believer in order to be inspired: the

church of Santa Maria delle Grazie is one of the most beautiful

sacred buildings in Ticino. Built at the end of the 15th century, it

originally formed part of a Franciscan monastery, and is notable

for its architectural harmony, precious frescoes and fine

paintings.

11:00Record tunnel With 151.8 kilometres of tunnels, shafts and galleries, the

Gotthard Base Tunnel is unrivalled. Where world records are

broken, exciting stories are told: hear them at the AlpTransit info

centre in Pollegio near Bellinzona, with its multimedia displays

and construction site tours for groups.

12:00Castle restaurant Eat in a castle that is UNESCO World Heritage: the Osteria

Sasso Corbaro proves that such an experience need not be

expensive. A popular venue for families, this restaurant excels at

traditional Ticino specialities prepared with market-fresh

ingredients. Word has got around about the quality – so do book

in advance (+41 (0)91 825 55 32).

13:30World Cultural Heritage

Bearing the proud names of Castelgrande, Montebello and Sasso

Corbaro, the spectacular castles of Bellinzona can be seen from

miles away. In 2000 UNESCO added them to its list of World

Cultural Heritage Sites. You can explore the impressive

fortifications on foot – from the defensive walls to the top of the

towers.

.


17:30The epicentre The Viale is like a beacon in the city, a popular rendezvous where

people of all ages meet – whether in the morning for coffee, at

midday for a snack, or at any time for a chat. In the evening, this

is one of the liveliest spots in town – in summer, thanks to its

large terrace and the comfortable armchairs and sofas.

19:00Gourmet heaven The Locanda Orico is a small restaurant offering great cuisine –

and with its Michelin star, it is the pride of the city. Lorenzo Albrici

delights guests with his masterful fusion of Italian and French

classical cooking. Soft décor, subdued lighting, and unobtrusive

service all make the Locanda Orico feel like a little corner of

gourmet heaven.

21:00A gem The cultural and intellectual heart of the city is the Teatro Sociale.

This is Switzerland’s only surviving 19th-century theatre; with its

cubic form, it belongs very much to the tradition of the classical

Italian theatre, both in its interior and exterior. Alongside plays, the

theatre stages ballet, concerts and readings.

24:00Hotel Internazionale

Housed in a historic building from the turn of the 19th century, this

60-room hotel combines period charm with modern amenities. It

also offers a convenient location beside the station – with views of

the castles and into the valleys.


Current events

17NOV

Castellinaria - Youth movie festival

International youth movie festival. The event focusees on

cinematographic proposals which look at the major changes of

today's youth, without loosing itself in a purely glamourous and

attractive world. Information and time schedule:

www.castellinaria.ch. Beginning in 1988, The International Youth

Film Festival in Bellinzona now brilliantly exceeds its twentieth

anniversary, having firmly established itself as an annual date on the cinema calendar. The event

focuses on a wide range of themes, attentive to the transformations of the world of youngsters,

favoring neither easy, insubstantial or glamorous productions. The rich Castellinaria programme

features both competitive and non competitive sections, open to school pupils and the public. In

addition, the Festival offers retrospectives and


Architecture

Castles of Bellinzona

In earlier times, the medieval castles of Castelgrande, Castello

Montebello and Castello Sasso Corbaro protected the city they

now adorn. Only remnants now remain of the fortress walls that

once surrounded Bellinzona. Bellinzona was a very important line

of defence for the ancient Romans, and the first written reference

dates back to 590.

Castelgrande, also known as Castello di San Michele or Burg Uri, is the oldest of these 13th century

castles. Two towers, Torre Nera (28 metres) and Torre Bianca (27 metres) dominate Bellinzona's

Old Town. The Archaeological Museum and the Museum of Art are located in the Castelgrande.

Castello Montebello, also known as Schwyz or San Martino, and the castle with the highest elevation,

Corbaro Sasso – once known as Unterwalden or Santa Barbara, are among the best preserved

medieval castles in Switzerland and are Unesco World Cultural Heritage sites.

Bellinzona Turismo · Palazzo Civico – Piazza Nosetto · 6501 Bellinzona · T +41 (0)91 825 21 31 · F

+41 (0)91 821 41 20 · [email protected] · www.bellinzonaturismo.ch /

www.welterbe.ch/en/sites.html

Municipal Bath The importance of the Municipal Bath on the bank of the Ticino

River, complemented by a tennis court, a cover swimming pool

and a covered artificial ice skating rink, is not only attributable to

the Bath's idyllic location. Through the long-drawn 6-meter high

pedestrian passerelle, connected to the city, the Municipal Bath

reflects the motif of the medieval barrages.

Centro Sportivo Bellinzona

Via Brunari

6501 Bellinzona

Bellinzona Post Office

It was built in 1985 by the architects Aurelio Galfetti, Angelo

Bianchi and Renzo Molina. The large postal building is a tri-partite

"H" construction. The long and elegant facade along the Viale

della Stazione, and the logistic center part with the high and airy

hall of the post office counters are impressive.

Post Gebäude Bellinzona

Viale Stazione 18

6500 Bellinzona

Business Center Bellinzona

Designed by the architect Mario Botta, the large, round red brick

building was created by this star architect for Swisscom in 1997.

Today it accommodates a business center with conference and

seminar rooms, and a part of it is the seat of the new National

Criminal Court

Business Center

Via die Gaggini

6500 Bellinzona


mailto:[email protected]

http://www.bellinzonaturismo.ch/

http://www.welterbe.ch/en/sites.html

Archivio e Biblioteca Cantonale

Built in 1997 by the architect Luca Ortelli. The new public building

is basically a cultural center with a library and archives. In

addition, various cultural offices are accommodated in this

building.

Archivio e Biblioteca Cantonale

Viale Stefano Franscini

6500 Bellizona

Teatro Sociale Bellinzona

The theater built 150 years ago in the style of Milan's La Scala, is

Switzerland's most beautiful example of neo-Classical theater

architecture. Since its renovation by the architects Giancarlo and

Pia Durisch and under the artistic direction of Renato Reichlin,

the Teatro Sociale has been a very lively center of international

theater and music life since 1997.

.

Teatro Sociale Bellinzona

Piazza Teatro

6500 Belinzona

Bars

Bar Settecentesimo

Popular meeting point during the Aperitif hour at the foot of

Castelgrande with a terrace and fountains, designed by Aurelio

Galfetti. Classical bar with Italian flair. The locale at the foot of

Castelgrande was designed with expertise and a sure hand for

perfection. It is Bellinzona's best address for a drink or a good

glass of wine. It is also a breakfast café, bistro and Apéritif bar.

Bar Settecentesimo

Piazzetta Mario Della Valle

6500 Bellinzona

+41 (0)91 826 48 30

Disco Club Habana

Traditional DiscoClub. Here evem the middle aged feel at home

(or away from home). In the south of Bellinzona.

Disco Club Ramarro

Via Franco Zorzi 19

6500 Bellinzona-Semine

Reservation:

Tel. +41 (0)79 789 63 15

Bar Viale Located in the modern post office building, designed in 1985 by

star-architect Aurelio Galfetti. Café in the morning, snacks in the

afternoon, and aperitif bar in the evenings.

Bar Viale · Viale Stazione · 6500 Bellinzona · T +41 (0)91 825 73 03 · [email protected] · www.viale.ch


mailto:[email protected]

http://www.viale.ch/

City parks

Park/Garden: Parco di Villa dei Cedri

The Park around Villa dei Cedri, today the Municipal Museum for

Modern and Contemporary Art, is a living example of an English-

style park of the 19th century. A vineyard adjoins the park. Next to

the library of the museum there is a small playground.

Museo Villa dei Cedri

Parco di Villa dei Cedri

6500 Bellinzona-Ravecchia

Parco della Golena

The long drawn Park della Golena begins at the relic of a

medieval bridge at the end of Via Stefano Franscini and extends

along the Ticino River. This is a landscape that is wonderful for

hiking from the Magadino Plain up to the confluence of the Moesa

River. Benches and picnic spots beckon the hiker to tarry awhile.

Parco della Golena

Argine del Fiume Ticino

Ponte della Torretta

6500 Bellinzona

City Tours

Guided City Tours Bellinzona

Guided tours of the 3 castles, 3 museums and 3 towers. For

programme and registration form visit

http://www.bellinzonaturismo.ch/.

Bellinzona Turismo

Palazzo Civico

6500 Bellinzona

Tel. +41 (0)91 825 21 31

[email protected]

City tour: Bellinzona: a hidden city

An architectural city walk with highlights showcasing the

development of Bellinzona's modern architecture.

Bellinzona Turismo

Palazzo Civico

6500 Bellinzona

Tel. +41 (0)91 825 21 31

[email protected]


City tour: Stones and colors of Medieval Bellinzona

Retracing the footsteps of the Middle Ages in Bellinzona. A

walking tour under historical aspects.

Bellinzona Turismo

Palazzo Civico

6500 Bellinzona

Tel. +41 (0)91 825 21 31

[email protected]

Audio guide Bellinzona

The “Bellinzona Artkey” audioguide transforms a walk round the

town into a trip back in time. The Castles of Bellinzona - once a

fortified barrier at the gateway to the Alps, now a UNESCO World

Heritage Site. The long history of Bellinzona lives on in its

monuments and other important vestiges of its fascinating past.

Traces of its cultural heritage are not only documented in the

museums of the three castles or at the Villa dei Cedri civic museum, but can be seen all over the

area. The new audioguide “Bellinzona Artkey,” takes you on a tour of the town in 22 stages

accompanied by the voices of our guides. The audioguide can be hired for CHF 7.- at the three

castles or at the information centre of Bellinzona Turismo situated in the courtyard of the Town Hall.

(http://www.bellinzonaunesco.ch/)

Bellinzona Turismo

Palazzo Civico

6500 Bellinzona

Tel. +41 (0)91 825 21 31

[email protected]

Places To Be

Bar Settecentesimo

Favorite meeting point during the Aperitif hour at the foot of

Castelgrande with a terrace and fountain, designed by Aurelio

Galfetti. Classical bar with Italian Flair.

Bar Settecentesimo

Piazzetta Mario della Valle

6500 Bellinzona

Tel. +41 (0)91 826 48 30

Bar Commercianti Traditional meeting point of business people, politicians and craftsmen in the romantic lane Old

Town.

Bar Commercianti

Via Teatro 5

6500 Bellinzona

Tel. +41 (0)91 825 51 98


Minigolf al Grottino Ticinese

Municipal leisure park with minigolf course, children's playground,

Boccia course and granite tables under linden trees.

Minigolf al Grottino Ticinese

Via Lavizzari

6500 Bellinzona

Tel. +41 (0)91 795 12 89

Bar Galleria A gathering point of the city's youth in the center of the city in a

small version of Milan's Galleria Vittorio Emanuele. Here a church

stood at one time, subsequently is was the provisional first venue

of the Cantonal Parliament.

Bar Galleria

SnackBar

Galleria dei Benedettini

6500 Bellinzona

Tel. +41 (0)91 825 37 12

Restaurants

Locanda Orico A delicious blend of Italian and French flavors. The menu is changed monthly.

How to get there:

The restaurant is in the center of the city, in the direction of Piazza Governo.

Locanda Orico

Via Orico 13

6500 Bellinzona

Tel. +41 (0)91 825 15 18

Grottino Ticinese Is there anything more comforting than an appetizing platter of

freshly cut salami, prosciutto or lardo, soft cheese from the Valle

di Muggio, or hard cheese from the upper Ticinese Alps? The

large stone tables under centuries-old linden trees are inviting and

conducive to animated conversations. Grottino Ticinese is a

garden pub, which was established on the occasion of the

National Marksmen's Festival of 1929. Swissness!

Grottino Ticinese

Via Lavizzari 1

6500 Bellinzona

Tel. +41 (0)91 826 39 64


Trattoria Malakoff Located in a scenic spot in the Ravecchia section near Villa die

Cedri. Select Mediterranean and pre-Alpine cuisine with a broad

range of definitely home-made pasta. A large selection of

Ticinese Alpine cheese! Reservations are recommended.

Trattoria Malakoff

Via Bacilieri 10

6500 Bellinzona-Ravecchia

Tel. +41 (0)91 825 49 40

[email protected]

Osteria Pedemonte

An historic railway pub (behind the train station) has evolved into an intimate and well-maintained

Trattoria: Stylishly designed, with a very personal touch. The courses on the menu are prepared after

the chef has spoken with you about them!

Osteria Pedemonte

Via Pedemonte 12

6500 Bellinzona-Daro

Tel. +41 (0)91 825 33 33

Restaurant Castelgrande

A gourmet temple in a unique architectural monument. It features

a fine restaurant, a banquet room, a garden cafe, a panorama

terrace and a grotto. A meeting point for lovers of regional and

mediterranean cuisine. If desired, gastronomical evenings can be

organised. Large assortment of Italian wines and spirits.

Im Schloss Castelgrande

Collina di San Michele

6500 Bellinzona

Tel. +41 (0)91 826 23 53

Osteria Sasso Corbaro

The newly organised Osteria features a garden terrace and has

been expanded by a new intimite hall (Sala del Cavaliere). The

restaurant offers a wide range of culinary delights: Grandmother's

cooking, grill specialties, fish, game, risotto, vegetables, all

complemented by the appropriate wine. A congenial meeting

place for friends and family in unique and historic ambience.

Osteria Sasso Corbaro

Castello di Sasso Corbaro

6500 Bellinzona-Artore

Tel. +41 (0)91 825 55 32

[email protected]

Shopping

Gastronomo della Piazzetta

Delicatessen and homemade pasta. Large variety of Ravioli and

other flour-based products, fish, cheese specialties from the

Ticinese Alps, wine and fine olive oils. Catering service.

Gastronomo della Piazzetta

Piazzetta Resinelli

6500 Bellinzona

Tel. +41 (0)91 826 13 60


ResiGourmet A large variety of delicatessen, especially Italian and regional

meat products (Cured Ham, Salami, Salametti, etc.), rich

assortment of cheeses, bakery goods, and patisserie from the

Gazzaniga bakery, produce and fruit, in a market atmosphere.

ResiGourmet

Viale Stazione 23

6500 Bellinzona

Tel. +41 (0)91 826 13 60

Monn Classical textile enterprise with a large selection of famous labels:

Burberry, Barbour, Schneiders, Canali, Corneliani, Jeckerson,

among others. Star architect Mario Campi's little gem is located in

a Lombardian Palazzo.

Monn

Piazza Collegiata

6500 Bellinzona

Bias Christina and Michele Biaggi are among the trendsetters of

Ticinese fashion designers. In their BIAS Pelletterie they produce

exquisite leather goods, which reflect Italian design and

professionalism.

Bias

Pelletterie

Via Teatro

6500 Bellinzona

Saturday Market Bellinzona

Each Saturday people meet on the colorful weekly market, which

extends from the Piazza Nosetto to the lanes of the Old Town.

The "mercato del sabato" offers, besides market booths with

clothes, also souvenirs, antiques and bric-a-brac.

Altstadt

Jeden Samstagmorgen

08.00 - 13.00

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