Montebello Castle (Bellinzona)

The origins of Castello di Montebello date back to the 13th century, when the Rusca family from Como had the castle built as an addition to the Castelgrande. It was first mentioned in 1313. After Como was conquered by Milan in 1335, the Rusca retreated to Bellinzona, where their planned uprising against the Milanese Visconti failed. From 1340, Bellinzona fell to Milan, but the Rusca were allowed to keep Montebello as private property. In the 14th and 15th centuries, the castle bore various names such as Castello piccolo or Castello nuovo. In 1500, Bellinzona submitted to the rule of the Confederates. After the Peace of Arona in 1503, the cantons of Uri, Schwyz, and Nidwalden divided the castles among themselves, with Castello di Montebello going to Schwyz, and subsequently also being called Castello di Svitto. In 1803, the castle became the property of the newly founded canton of Ticino and gradually fell into disrepair in the 19th century. Around 1900, efforts to preserve the castle began, followed by restoration work between 1920 and 1955.

The castle is located at an altitude of approximately 308 m above sea level in Bellinzona, in the canton of Ticino, Switzerland.

Today, Castello di Montebello houses a museum, the Museo civico e archeologico. It mainly displays archaeological finds from Bellinzona and the surrounding area.