Castello di Montebello

Bellinzona, Switzerland, Switzerland

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Castello di Montebello is the middle castle in Bellinzona's trio of UNESCO World Heritage fortifications in Ticino, Switzerland, originally built in the late 13th century by the wealthy Rusca merchant family from Como as their residence on a hill overlooking the Ticino Valley.

Seized by the Visconti of Milan in 1335 and expanded by the Sforza in the late 15th century with high walls, angular towers, a deep moat, drawbridge, and a ravelin for enhanced defense against Swiss incursions, it was known as Castel Piccolo before Swiss occupation renamed it Svitto and later San Martino Castle.

Acquired by the Ghiringhelli family in the late 18th century and donated to Ticino Canton in 1903, it now houses an archaeological museum with medieval artifacts and offers stunning valley views as a preserved symbol of Renaissance military architecture.