Museo Castel Grande

About the museum

The castle hill of Castel Grande has been settled since the 6th millennium BC. The first documented fortifications date from the 4th century; later, Lombards, Franks and the bishop of Como shaped the site. The castle as it stands today goes back to the late Middle Ages: a first construction phase in the 13th century was followed between 1473 and 1486 by the Milanese period. After the County of Bellinzona passed to the Swiss Confederation, the castle was called Castello di Uri from 1506 and San Michele from 1818. Restorations between 1984 and 1991 under Aurelio Galfetti gave it its present appearance.

The museum occupies two floors of the former military buildings in the south wing. On the ground floor, the historical and archaeological exhibition tells of the everyday life of the hill's inhabitants, from the Neolithic through farming, flint and rock crystal working, and the Metal Age to the Middle Ages. It concludes with a collection of 16th-century coins, which recalls a mint of the three original cantons in Bellinzona.

The art-historical exhibition shows 144 tempera drawings from around 1470. They originally decorated the wooden ceiling of a 15th-century residence demolished in 1970, come from a Lombard artist and take up Renaissance themes, such as the world turned upside down, allegories of virtue and verses by Petrarch. Castel Grande belongs to the Fortress of Bellinzona, which the website lists as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Highlights

• 6,500 years of settlement history on the castle hill
• 144 tempera drawings from around 1470 from a demolished residence
• 16th-century coin collection from Bellinzona
• White Tower with panoramic views and Black Tower
• Open all year, including winter

Permanent exhibitions

• Historisch-archäologische Ausstellung – Finds from the first Neolithic village to the 20th century, plus everyday life, crafts and a 16th-century coin collection.
• Kunstgeschichtliche Ausstellung – 144 Lombard tempera drawings from around 1470 with Renaissance themes, once decorating a wooden ceiling.

Admission & discounts

Free admission for holders of an AG Kultur card and for children up to age 5. The Fortezza Pass is valid for Castel Grande, Montebello and Sasso Corbaro.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The path along the Murata leads directly into the castle's outer courtyard.

Amenities & dining

• Restaurant

Ristorante Castelgrande (Tuesday to Saturday evenings, 19:00–24:00) and Grotto San Michele with terrace.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

The fortress offers rooms for weddings, meetings and events with catering.