Top 10 Interesting Facts about Sasso Corbaro Castle

Photo by Mikatu from Wikimedia

Top 10 Interesting Facts about Sasso Corbaro Castle

Sasso Corbaro Castle is one of three castles located in the town of Bellinzona, Bellinzona District in Switzerland. It is a typical Sforza fortress named after the dark craggy rock on which it stands.

Built-in 1479, Sasso Corbaro castle is the youngest and the highest of the three castles. From its parapet towering at 230 meters above the city, it offers an unobstructed view of the city and its surrounding areas.

Here are the Top 10 Interesting Facts about Sasso Corbaro Castle.

1. Sasso Corbaro is Part of Bellinzona Castles

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Sasso Corbaro Castle is one of the Castles of Bellinzona, a group of fortifications located around the town of Bellinzona. They are the Castelgrande castle, Montebello castle and Sasso Corbaro castle.

They were constructed as defensive fortifications, and at a strategic point to control the lucrative trade routes, which included the valley of the Ticino river pass, Alpine passes, and San Gotthard pass.

The Castles of Bellinzona are an extraordinary example of late-medieval defensive structures and have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000.

2. Sasso Corbaro Castel was once a Hotel

In 1871 Sasso Corbaro was sold and converted into a hotel and later a restaurant was added. In 1919 the canton placed the castle under protection to prevent further modification of the castle.

Today, Sasso Corbaro Castle houses the Sala Emma Poglia which is the “wooden room” built for the Emma family during the 17th century.

The room is paneled entirely in walnut and also includes the” stüva”, the stove which provided heating to the family. The stove bears the crest of the Emma family (an eagle and a lion rampant).

3. Sasso Corbaro Castel served as a Prison

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Sasso Corbaro Castle is located on an isolated rock, and its first part was built in 1478 to close a gap in the defenses of the city and was used as a prison during peacetime.

The two-story buildings on the south and west walls were both living quarters, while the chapel is located on the eastern side of the courtyard.

In front of the entrance, the tower was built 14 meters high, With Some houses opening into the inner plaza. It is a typical 15th-century structure with pointed windows and raised chimneys.

4. The Castelgrande Castle

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The Castelgrande castle is one of the oldest Castles in Europe, and it has existed since the 1st century BC. It was the only fortified section of Bellinzona until the 13th Century.

It houses a museum that exhibits a collection of artifacts that covers the entire period from the first Neolithic village to the 20th century. The museum also includes the decorated ceilings of Casa Ghiringhelli and from a former inn, the Albergo Della Cervia as well as a collection from Bellinzona’s mint.

5. Visit the Archaeological and Civic Museum

Montebello Castle houses the Archaeological and Civic Museum. The museum was opened in 1974 and is located in the tower and the former residential quarters of Montebello Castle.

The museum is divided into two sections-history and archaeology. In the history section, there are several capitals from the 15th century and a rare 13th-century Baptismal font as well as drawings and sketches from several artists.

The archaeology section includes many items from 1400–1500 B.C. as well as ceramics, glassware, funeral urns, ornamental objects, and jewelry in iron and bronze from around the canton. The museum is open from March to November.

The castle can be reached by taking an elevator from the foot of the rock to the castle grounds or by climbing steep, narrow streets from the city center through the city wall onto the castle grounds.

6. Walk through San Bernardino Pass

Photo by Zairon from  Wikimedia

The San Bernardino Pass is one of the most splendid high-altitude passes in the Swiss Alps. The Bernardino Pass connects the two beautiful Alpine valleys, Hinterrhein and Mesolcina.

It became important as a mule track in the fifteenth century when the route between Thusis and Splügen was known as the Via Mala. A road for wheeled vehicles was opened in 1770 and was significantly improved between 1821 and 1823.

Traffic flow was much facilitated in 1967 when the San Bernardino road tunnel was completed. The pass road is only open from May to November.

7. The Collegiate Church of Saints Peter and Stephen

The Collegiate Church of Saints Peter and Stephen is a religious building located in Bellinzona, Switzerland. The building is the seat of the Ticinese city parish and is home to numerous works of art dating back to the 15th century.

This ancient church is a building associated with the Renaissance period, and it belongs to the Parish of Ticino. It houses great works of art from the 15th to 19th centuries.

There is also a triangular Tympanum part of the church, which consists of three statues mirroring the Madonna and two angels.

8. The Teatro Sociale Theatre

Photo by PaolaAssandri from Wikimedia

Teatro Sociale theater is located on Piazza Governo  nearby Caffè degli Artisti, and Ottica Belotti. It is the center of vibrant musical concerts and hosts some of the best shows in Bellinzona

The theater building was constructed in the 19th century in Neo-Classical style by Von Mentlen based on a similar style as Milan’s La Scala. It was later renovated by Giancarlo and Pia Durisch into its current look.

9. Discover the Fortress of Bellinzona with Artù

The small Artù tourist train departs from the old town and takes guests on a comfortable trip to the castles of Montebello and Sasso Corbaro. Guests can hop off and on at the most important monuments and places of historic interest.
The sightseeing trip lasts around one and a half hours and tickets can be purchased directly at the train or from the tourist office in Bellinzona.

10. How to Get There

Sasso Corbaro is located about 600 meters southeast of Bellinzona. Signs lead the way from the city center. Car parks are available near the fort. If you’re visiting all three castles, you can also take the little train Arthur from Castelgrande or Montebello to Sasso Corbaro.