The three castles of Bellinzona - Castelgrande

When did this actually happen? Sunday, February 21, 2016

Because N. had this very cool (and cheap) railway ticket, we decided to go somewhere in Switzerland where neither of us had ever been that was far, far away (to get the most out of the train ticket). We chose Bellinzona, which is mainly known for its 3 castles; each of which are on the UNESCO World Heritage List. As we both like castles a lot, this seemed perfect. Also, from my point of view: I had never been in the Italian part of Switzerland yet, so this seemed like a really good idea.

It was a really great day and I made lots and lots of pictures. Therefore, this one day will appear here in 3 parts.. coincidentally coinciding with the 3 castles that we visited (see what I did there? :D ).

We started with a 2.5h train ride through beautiful scenery from Zürich to Bellinzona. Then we went to the first castle: Castelgrande. This is the largest castle (maybe that is reflected in the name, eh?) and most prominent one. It is also the one which is most suitable for visitors: there is a museum explaining the history of the three castles and an elevator (we took the stairs. Oh my. But I did it). There is also a very nice, long stretch of the city wall on which you can walk, which is pretty awesome.

Here then, are the most pretty pictures of Castelgrande:


Of course the castle is strategically situated on a hill.


Mountains! The castle is surrounded by mountains! And there is snow on the mountains! I made soooo many pictures of this mountain: it is so pretty!


More mountains! :)


And the same mountain again from a slightly different angle...


N. posing against a castle wall.


The big wall that protected the city!


From the end of the city wall a picture of the whole castle again. It was really, really pretty. :)

The three castles of Bellinzona - Montebello

When did this actually happen? Sunday, February 21, 2016

The second castle! After walking all the way down from Castelgrande, and having a nice drink in the town square, we had to walk all the way up to Montebello, the second castle. Worth it, though ;)


Picture taken while walking down Castelgrande to the town centre. You can see a very nice church that we briefly visited in the foreground and behind that the second castle: Montebello. In the distance, on the hilltop, you can see the third and last castle: Sasso Corbaro.


The first thing you see when you enter the grounds of the castle is a nice field of grass (that will be nice in Summer!) and the main buildings of the castle.


Picture of the third castle Sasso Corbaro from the second castle. It is still pretty high up, even from this castle... Also: mountains.. :)


Me and N. with Castelgrande (the first one) in the background.


I will never tire of beautiful castle walls..


There is the mountain again! Still very pretty: also from this viewpoint!

The three castles of Bellinzona - Sasso Corbaro

When did this actually happen? Sunday, February 21, 2016

Up, up, up we go to the last castle!


I really think this looks like a very sinister, Dracula castle..


It's that mountain again: now from our highest viewpoint!


The castle was really pretty as well, especially in the light of a setting Sun. However, it was a bit unfortunate that we couldn't get in the castle (grounds) like with the other two, because this castle was closed until somewhere in March :(


Behind the castle, there were nice rocks :)


I really love the light and composition in this picture. This might be due to the fact that I love the colour blue and really like it combined with nature (grass..). Also, there is again a very nice castle wall. You can never have enough pictures of castle walls!


Same old mountain again in the beautiful sunset light with a nicely accentuated church.


On our way back to the train, we saw our first castle Castelgrande for the last time, beautifully illuminated. I thoroughly recommend a visit to Bellinzona: it has very nice scenery and culture (the castles), and as it is the Italian part of Switzerland, they have great (Italian) food as well. I had the best tagliatelle bolognese ever for dinner. It is however more expensive than regular Italy (it is Switzerland after all), and they speak little to no English or German (in this sense they are more like the real Italians.. :p )