Museo di Montebello

About the museum

Montebello was built as the second castle of Bellinzona after Castel Grande. At the end of the 13th century the Ghibelline Rusca family from Como had the complex built about 90 meters above the town as their residence. In 1335 it passed under the Visconti to the lords of Milan, who expanded it militarily. Particularly important were the works between 1462 and 1490, which added a second, stronger curtain wall with round towers. The castle was later called Burg Schwyz (1506) and, after 1818, Burg San Martino.

The keep now houses the archaeological museum. The tower can be visited vertically in chronological order: the oldest finds, from the Mesolithic, lie at the bottom, and the periods up to Roman times follow upward, much like the layers of an excavation. A selection of finds from Ticino is displayed, focusing on Bellinzona and the upper valleys, including the duck-billed jug from Giubiasco-Palsio in the entrance area. The lower floors go deeper into the introduction of writing in the Iron Age, clothing and jewelry, and burial rites of antiquity.

In the "Palazzetto", old documents, drawings, photographs and construction plans document the history of the castle up to the restorations of 1902–1910 and the last major intervention in the 1970s.

Highlights

• Archaeological finds from Ticino, from the Mesolithic to Roman times
• Duck-billed jug from Giubiasco-Palsio
• Chronological route through the keep from bottom to top
• Palazzetto with documents on the building history
• Playground and viewpoint at the castle

Permanent exhibitions

• Archeologia Montebello – Archaeological finds from Ticino in the keep, arranged chronologically from bottom to top, with themes such as writing, clothing and burial rites.
• Palazzetto – Baugeschichte der Burg – Documents, drawings, photographs and construction plans on the history of Montebello from the 13th century to the interventions of the 1970s.

Admission & discounts

Free admission for holders of an AG Kultur card and for children up to age 5. The ticket for the small "Artù" train does not entitle the holder to free admission.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

• Playground / play area

According to the castle's site plan, there is a playground at the castle. The museum offers archaeology workshops for school classes.

Getting there & parking

On foot about 10 minutes from Piazza Collegiata (80 meters of elevation gain). Until November 8, 2026, the small "Artù" train connects the old town with Montebello and Sasso Corbaro (adults CHF 13).

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit