Bellinzona

Bellinzona commands the Ticino valley at the southern approaches to the Alpine passes. Its three castles and the wall across the valley guarded routes between the Po plain and the lands beyond the mountains. Roman fortifications had already recognized the importance of this position, and later rulers repeatedly fought to hold it.

Milanese forces recaptured Bellinzona from Uri and Obwalden in 1422 and defeated them at Arbedo. After another Swiss attack in 1478, Milan strengthened the castles and rebuilt the valley wall; Sasso Corbaro was developed as a third stronghold. In 1500 the townspeople expelled the French garrison and sought Swiss protection. Bellinzona then came under the joint administration of Uri, Schwyz and Nidwalden. In 1803 it became part of the new canton of Ticino.