Posted Mon Oct 27 13:45:00 UTC 2008

The cantonal capital of Ticino is Bellinzona, a historical city poised as a gateway to the Alpine passes of St. Gotthard, San Bernardino and Lucomagno (Lukmanier). A small-scale community of just 17,000 people, Bellinzona features a skyline that is not dominated by contemporary sky-high structures, rather it is gracefully outlined by three medieval castles—Castelgrande, Montebello, and Sasso Corbaro—all of which have been designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites since 2000. From the castle towers to the merchants’ houses and iron-framed balconies of Old Town, Bellinzona fosters a romantic, time-worn atmosphere that is shaken up by a few modern touches, such as architect Aurelia Galfetti’s boldly designed restaurant within the Castelgrande and architect Luigi Snozzi’s conversion of a neglected 15th century monastery into a modern space for conventions and special occasions. Bellinzona plays host to a variety of year-round events and festivals, the most well-known being that of Rabadan, a city-wide carnival that starts the Thursday before Mardi Gras. Other popular Bellinzona events include music festivals, wine and cheese tasting, farmers’ markets, film festivals, and holiday celebrations. Bellinzona is conveniently located 17 km (10.5 miles) northeast of Locarno and Ascona, and 21 km (13 miles) north of Lugano, making these locations perfect for daytrips and weekend excursions.