How about if I take you for a walk in nearby Switzerland? More precisely in the Canton of Ticino, in Bellinzona. Where the profile of the territory is dominated by the imposing silhouette of three medieval castles.
credits: @yesica.n_photography
Peering through the arrowslits of the mighty towers or looking up over the battlements, one seems to see medieval knights engaged in jousts and tournaments. The atmosphere that prevails in the large area of the Castles of Bellinzona really takes us back in time, immerses us in a fantastic past made up of ladies and paladins, steeds and armour. A dive into the past and a flight of imagination.
It was the strategic position of the city, at the crossroads of the Alpine roads that connect northern and southern Europe, that determined the construction of a large defensive work made up of three fortified buildings, various towers for sighting enemies and a long belt of walls. In this bottleneck of the Ticino valley, the Viscontis, lords of Milan, ordered the construction of a fortress to block the Swiss confederates and protect their possessions on Lake Maggiore. Thus were born the three great castles that still dominate the city today and which, due to their beauty and historical value, are included among the wonders of Unesco.
credits: @0martinss0
The oldest building, the Castelgrande, can be reached thanks to an elevator that goes up from Piazza del Sole, but it can also be reached by walking along the alleyways that start from the historic center or using the very comfortable tourist train. After careful restoration carried out in the 1990s by the architect Aurelio Galfetti, this large building has returned to its former glory and appears particularly impressive due to the splendid view it offers from its heights: we admire the grandeur of the White Tower, the elegance of the Black Tower and the crenellated wall from which the so-called "murata" branches off, a fortified path that descends to the city.
If you are a culture buff, you can also visit the museum which illustrates the history of the city and houses temporary exhibitions. If, on the other hand, you opt for a slightly easier and more relaxing day, you can try the delicacies of the refined Castelgrande restaurant or have fun with an exciting challenge inside the Escape Room.
credits: @goncaperunkovska
The castle of Montebello is located on the opposite hill and comes to life in all its splendor during La Spada nella Rocca, an event that takes place in Spring, when ladies, knights, archers and musicians in magnificent costumes roam its walls. An interesting exhibition itinerary inside this manor allows you to admire archaeological finds and retrace the history of this city accompanied by a guide in four languages downloadable on your smartphone.
The third castle, that of Sasso Corbaro, dominates the city from an imperious hill and takes its name from the rock on which it stands, as dark as the feathers of crows (in dialect "corbatt"). It is a typical Sforza fortress with massive walls and a strong profile. It was built in 1479, within a period of just six months, by an engineer commissioned by the Sforzas, Benedetto Ferrini who, poor fellow, died of the plague in the same year.
credits: @mangio73
And while we think about the hard times that our ancestors had to face, we go down towards the historic center of Bellinzona, where a very lively and colourful market takes place every Saturday morning among the ancient medieval streets, with stalls selling typical products and people who meet up just to have a chat. For the simple pleasure of being together. Today like yesterday. There are things that do not change, not even under the shadow of the castles of Bellinzona.
