14 Facts About Bellinzona

Bellinzona is a municipality, a historic Swiss town, and the capital of the canton of Ticino in Switzerland.

Bellinzona has always occupied an important geographic location in the Alps.

Bellinzona's location was recognized as a key point in the defenses and a large castle was built to protect the walls.

Under the Longobards, Bellinzona became the site of a permanent garrison to protect the region from raids by the neighboring Frankish and Alemannic tribes.

Control of Bellinzona was a key part of this expansion.

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However, the orderly growth of Bellinzona was threatened in 1402 when Duke Gian Galeazzo Visconti died.

In 1403 Bellinzona came under the control of Alberto di Sacco of Val Mesolcina, who held it until 1419 before it was taken over by Uri and Obwalden, which expanded into the Leventina Valley.

Bellinzona quickly accepted the new Sforza dynasty and the peace and stability that followed.

Bellinzona captured Bellinzona and fearing an attack by the Swiss, fortified the Castelgrande with 1000 troops.

Between 1907 and 1972, Bellinzona was linked to Mesocco and other Val Mesolcina communities by the Bellinzona–Mesocco railway.

Bellinzona is situated in the valley of the river Ticino, at an altitude of 240 metres .

Bellinzona railway station is a major intermediate stop on the Gotthard railway.

Bellinzona is home to twelve buildings or areas that are listed as Swiss heritage site of national significance.

Three Castles, officially listed as the Three Castles, Defensive Wall and Ramparts of the Market-Town of Bellinzona, have been an UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000.