Castel Grande
- Visit: 1–2 hours
Adulti CHF 28 · Studenti/AVS CHF 10
Tickets from CHF 28Sign up free — See who's going and message them.
Is this your place? Get the badge for your websiteAbout
More photos 4
1 / 4
What's on here
Museo di Castel Grande
Until 31 DecFree
La collina immortale: percorso storico culturale
Until 12 Dec
La collina immortale: percorso storico culturale
Until 12 Dec
Progetto Castel Grande – Sculture e Dipinti di Ivo Soldini
Until 8 Nov
Progetto Castel Grande – Sculture e Dipinti di Ivo Soldini
Until 8 Nov
Progetto Castel Grande – Sculture e Dipinti di Ivo Soldini
Until 8 Nov
Progetto Castel Grande – Sculture e Dipinti di Ivo Soldini
Until 8 Nov
Progetto Castel Grande – Sculture e Dipinti di Ivo Soldini
Until 8 NovFree
Show more
Why go
- Visit the largest castle in Bellinzona’s UNESCO World Heritage defensive complex.
- See Torre Bianca, the central keep’s tallest tower, dating to the 13th century.
- Explore the South Wing museum’s account of life on the hill, from a Neolithic village to the 20th century.
- View 144 tempera drawings made around 1470 for a town-centre residence ceiling.
Plan your visit
Prices
From the venue's website · checked 27 Sep 2026
Opening hours
Today10:30 – 16:00Show all
Don't miss
- Western-bailey church ruinsThe ruined church may have been dedicated to the Madonna.Western bailey
Interesting facts4
-
40 metres
The gneiss ridge rises nearly 40 metres above the old town.
Castelgrande (Bellinzona) - Wikipedia -
Radial walls divide the interior into three large courtyards.
Castelgrande (Bellinzona) - Wikipedia -
The two towers take their names from the slightly different shades of their stone.
Castelgrande (castello) - Wikipedia -
The Dukes of Milan demolished many buildings inside the walls to make space for troops.
Castle of Castelgrande - Wikipedia (part 2)
Shorts
History
In 1002, Marquis Arduino of Ivrea confirmed the bishop’s ownership of Castelgrande. The bishop occupied the inner keep, later called the Bishop’s Palace. The castle endured sieges in 1284, 1292 and 1303.
- 4th century ADThe fort was rebuilt and greatly enlarged.
- around 774An expansion added a chapel, apartments, towers and barracks.
- around 800A major fire apparently destroyed the castle’s southern part.
- 10th–11th centuriesThe oldest surviving sections of the present enclosure date from this period.
- 1239Frederick II sent forces to Bellinzona and strengthened the castle.
Show all
- second half of 15th c.The Dukes of Milan substantially expanded the fortress; much of its present form dates from this period.
- 1920–1955Renovation and consolidation work strengthened the complex.
- 1982–2000Aurelio Galfetti led restoration and rebuilding. The 1983–1989 phase added access routes and lifts for public use.
Tips for your visit
- A wall was added along the cliff face only in the 14th or 15th century.
- The residence decorated by the ceiling drawings was demolished in 1970.
How to get there
- On footFrom Bellinzona station, follow the Salita Castelgande panoramic route to the castle.
- On footFrom Piazzetta della Valle, take the short tunnel to the lift for the castle.
- On footClimb the steep, narrow streets from the city centre through the city wall.
- On footThe bulwark route leads directly to the castle’s outer courtyard.
- CarVehicles cannot drive directly to the castle; several car parks are nearby.
Accessibility
- Lift A lift from Piazzetta della Valle reaches the fortress through a short tunnel.
Sources: Castle of Castelgrande - Wikipedia · Castle of Castelgrande - Wikipedia (part 2) · Home - Fortezza Bellinzona - UNESCO World Herit… · Visit - Fortezza Bellinzona - UNESCO World Heri… · Castel Grande Museum - Fortezza Bellinzona · Castelgrande (castello) - Wikipedia · Castelgrande (Bellinzona) - Wikipedia · Castelgrande - Wikipedia · checked 24 Sep 2026
- Website
- fortezzabellinzona.ch/
- Phone
- +41 91 825 81 45
Similar places nearby
Nearby places
Questions and answers
How much are tickets?
Adults: CHF 28; students and AVS pensioners: CHF 10.
What was Castel Grande called in the past?
Its names have included the Old Castle, Uri Castle and Saint Michael’s Castle.
- See who's going — faces, not ticket counts.
- Write to someone who shares your interests — no swipes, no matches, no paywall.
- Pick the event or the place to meet at — and go together.