Castelgrande, Medieval castle in Bellinzona, Switzerland.
Castelgrande is a fortress rising from a rocky peak above Bellinzona, its stone walls and towers dominating the valley floor. The structure spans multiple areas with different functions, from living quarters to defensive installations scattered across the hilltop.
The site traces back to Roman times when strategic fortifications first appeared in this area. During the Middle Ages, the structure was extensively rebuilt and strengthened to maintain control over the major trade routes passing through the region.
The castle's names record its owners: Castello d'Uri from 1506, when Uri held it, and Castello San Michele from 1818. The two towers are called White Tower and Black Tower after the slightly different tone of their stone. The White Tower, rebuilt in 1485/86, is open as a viewing tower.
The lift from the Piazzetta della Valle climbs through a short tunnel cut in the gneiss; on foot, the medieval route entered from the south through a gate in the city wall, a zwinger and the main gate. The plateau measures 150 to 200 metres across, and radial walls divide it into three courtyards. The White Tower is open to visitors as a viewing tower.
The museum displays over 5000 years of regional history through archaeological finds that document human settlement patterns in this area. This collection shows how this location has attracted and shaped communities since ancient times.
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