Che Bellezza: Bellinzona. (Swiss City).City Profile: Location: Bellinzona, canton of Ticino Altitude: 240m Inhabitants
The game is based loosely on the concepts from SameGame. : 18,000 When it comes to the Italian-speaking part of Switzerland, you never really know what the most precise description of the area and its people would be: is it Italian or Swiss? Of course any Ticinese will tell you its neither of the two: Ticino is Ticino, a cultural enclave of sorts, and the city of Bellinzona is its capital. Of course Ticino is Swiss, but like anywhere else in this most federalistic of nations, the local always takes the upper hand over the national. The fact remains that Switzerland's only Italian-speaking canton will this year proudly celebrate its bicentennial bi·cen·ten·ni·al adj. 1. Happening once every 200 years. 2. Lasting for 200 years. 3. Relating to a 200th anniversary. n. A 200th anniversary or its celebration. Also called bicentenary. as a Swiss canton Noun 1. Swiss canton - one of the cantons of Switzerland canton - a small administrative division of a country Schweiz, Suisse, Svizzera, Swiss Confederation, Switzerland - a landlocked federal republic in central Europe . And that's not to say that the Italianita from over the border does not make itself felt, either-- your average Bellinzona or Ticino resident might root for Juve and celebrate with his Italian fratelli when the Azzurri make it a round further in the World Cup--but the southern-most region of the Alpine nation has a cultural expression all its own. Especially in Bellinzona, where centuries of conquest and struggles for power have led to a sense of self-determination unsurpassed. by the other two members of Ticino's urban 'triumvirate," which also includes Lugano and Locamo. Geographically speaking, Bellinzona has always been of great strategic importance. Bellinzona appeared to the traveller of old approaching from the South as the key to the Alps while for those appmaching it from the North, it was the gateway to Italy. The city was first mentioned in a document dating from the year 590 and the city's status as a trans-Alpine passageway predates Roman times, although it was the Romans who made the city a line of defense against northem agressors, albeit with varying success. It was the site of numerous battles between the Franks and Lombards and was sub ject to several power struggles involving a wide array of rivalling groups, including various bishops, the city of Como, the Sforza and Visconti families and the Duchy of Milan The Duchy of Milan was a state in northern Italy from 1395 to 1797. It was part of the Holy Roman Empire, by then a decentralised entity, and was ruled by several dynasties, most of them major powers from outside Italy. . All of that changed in 1500 when Ticino became a Swiss prefecture, a status it held until becoming a full canton in 1803. Today Bellinzona is a popular travel destination. Its history as a battlefield, and otherwise, remains intact in the form of scores of historical buildings, churches, citadels and fortifications This is a list of fortifications past and present, a fortification being a major physical defensive structure often composed of a more or less wall-connected series of forts. , most notably a trio of castles-Castelgrande, Castello di Montebello and. Castello di Sasso Corbaro--which were added by UNESCO UNESCO: see United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization. UNESCO in full United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization to its list of "world heritages." The castles are connected to a group of fortifications interspersed with towers and defensive structures overlooking the city and the entire Ticino valley. The Castelgrande houses both a permanent art collection, including a set of murals dating back to the year 1470, as well as changing art exhibits, a great restaurant, and in the summer months offers open air opera performances in its courtyard. More than a dozen other castles, churches and villas round out what is a most impressive historical and architectural tour. All- of this makes f or spectacular sightseeing, in the truest sense of the word. Still, Bellinzona is much more than a bunch of old edifices. Its cuisine is as rich and varied as its history and culture and then there's the weather: Bellinzona, and indeed most of Ticino, is characterized by what the Swiss vaguely describe as a "subtropical sub·trop·i·cal adj. Of, relating to, or being the geographic areas adjacent to the Tropics. subtropical Adjective of the region lying between the tropics and temperate lands " climate, a unique blend of Alpine and Mediterranean weather patterns which, although maybe not technically the equivalent of Havana, Rio or Bangkok, certainly seem to come close. This makes it an oasis of sorts--especiallvin the winterand springtime, when lots of Swiss make their way south. And of course the weather lends itself to just about 'any outdoor and sporting activity: canyoning Canyoning (known as canyoneering in the U.S.) is traveling in canyons using a variety of techniques that may include walking, scrambling, climbing, jumping, abseiling, and/or swimming. , rafting or bungee jumping for the more daring, biking, walking, nearby golf and swimming for the more cautious. Back in the city itelf, a quaint, beautifully preserved old town with medieval streets littered with booths selling chestnuts, boar salami, fresh local mushmoms and wonderful cheeses, all of which especially come to life during "mercato," the weekly market held every Saturday. Ahh, che bella, Bellinzona! Old Stuff: * Castelgrande, dates from the 11th century, well restored, has art & historic museum, restaurant * Castello die Montebello, dates from 15th century, an archeological museum * Castello Sasso Corbaro, dates. from 15th century, famous Emma Poglia Salon and Belvedere museum * Villa dei Cedri, city art gallery * Museum in Erba, city children's museum * City Walls built by the Sforzas, dates from the 15th century. * Churches of various styles include the Collegiata SS. Pietro c Stefano San Boiagio (romanic), Santa Maria delle Grazie Santa Maria delle Grazie (St. Mary of Graces), also Madonna delle Grazie (Our Lady of Graces), is the name of many hundreds of churches throughout Italy and Italian parts of Switzerland, as for example in Alanno, Anghiari, Arezzo, Bevagna, Capua, Giano (currently being restored), San Paolo in Arbedo (romanic), San Bemardo (romanic) in Monte Carasso, Santa Maria cloister cloister, unroofed space forming part of a religious establishment and surrounded by the various buildings or by enclosing walls. Generally, it is provided on all sides with a vaulted passageway consisting of continuous colonnades or arcades opening onto a court. in Claro * Palazzo Civice (city hall) * Teatro Sociale (neo-classical theater) * Fortini della fame ("fortress of famine"), military fortress in Sementina und Camorino Cultural Offerings: * Museo in Erba Piazza Magoria 8, Bellinzona, Art museum. 091 835 52 54 * Castelgrande Art & Historical Museum. 091 825 81 45 * Castello di Mentebello Archeological Museum. Open March-November 091 825 13 42 * Castello di Sasso Corbavo Special exhibitions, open from March-November. 091 825 5906 * Villa dei Cedri City Art Gallery. 091 821 85 20 Cuisine The restaurants below specialize both in Ticinese specialites as well as gourmet cuisine and are included in most major gourmet guides: * Restaurant Larini, Castelgrande, Bellinzona, 091 826 23 53 * Osteria Luzzi, Castello di Sasso Corbaro, Bellinzona, 091 825 55 32 * Trattoria trat·to·ri·a n. pl. trat·to·ri·as or trat·to·ri·e An informal restaurant or tavern serving simple Italian dishes. [Italian, from trattore, host, from trattare Malakoff, Via Bacilieri 10, Bellinzona-Ravecchia, 091 825 49 40 * Osteria Pedemonte Via Pedemonte, Bellinzona-Daro, 091 825 33 33 * Grottino Ticinese, Via Lavizzari 1, Bellinzona, 091 826 39 64 * Locanda Orico, Via Orico 13, Bellinzona, 091 825 15 18 * Osteria Nord, Via alle Torri 15, Bellinzona-Carasso, 091 826 20 95 * Locanda Lessy, Piazza San Giovanni, Bellinzona-Gnosca, 091 829 1941 * Risterante Corona, Via Camminata 5. Bellinzona, 091 825 28 44 * Risterante Mentebello, Via alla Chiesa 3, Bellinzona-Daro, 091 825 83 95 Local Goodies: * Ticinese Nocino. * Ticinese grappa grap·pa n. An Italian brandy distilled from the pomace of grapes used in winemaking. [Italian, from Italian dialectal, grape stalk, brandy, of Germanic origin.] Noun 1. . * Merlot wine. (For description see page 24) * Ratafia rat·a·fi·a also rat·a·fee n. 1. A sweet cordial flavored with fruit kernels or almonds. 2. A biscuit flavored with ratafia. [French, perhaps of West Indian Creole origin. : grappa made with American grapes. Local Wine Cellars * Cantina can·ti·na n. Southwestern U.S. A bar that serves liquor. [Spanish, canteen, from Italian, wine cellar.] Giubiasco, Piazza Stazione, Giubiasco, 091 857 25 31 * Carlevaro Vinicola, Via San Gottardo Arbedo, 091 829 10 44 * Chiericati Vini Vini is a genus of birds endemic to the islands of the tropical Pacific. They are five extant species of these small lorikeets ranging from across Fiji, Samoa French Polynesia, and as far east as Henderson Island. , Via Convento 10, Bellinzona, 091 825 1307 * La Minerva, Ai Scarsitt 8, Camorino, 091 857 1604 * Alla Fattoria dell'Amoresa, Gudo, 091 840 29 50. Going Out: * Bar-Cremeria 700mo, Piazzetta Mario Della Valle. Meeting Point, aperitives. * Musik-Bar Peter Pan, Via Murate 2. Under 20 crowd, live concerts. * FunCafe, Via Codeborgo 15, at the foot of the Castelgrande. The name says it all. * Grotto Pasinetti. Blues, live music on weekends. * MusikGarage. Industrial loft style, showrooms, live concerts. Sleeping Over: * Hotel-Restaurant Unione*** Via Generale Guisan 1, near Piazza del Sole, Bellinzona, 091 825 5577 * Hotel Internazionale*** Piazza Stazione, Bellinzona, 091 825 4333 * Hotel Gamper *** Viale Stazione 29, Bellinzona, 091 825 37 92 * Hotel Croce Federale **, Viale Stazione 12, Bellinzona, 091 825 16 67 * Locanda Brack n. 1. An opening caused by the parting of any solid body; a crack or breach; a flaw. Stain or brack in her sweet reputation. - J. Fletcher. 1. Salt or brackish water. ***, Via delle Vigne, Gudo-Progero, 091 859 12 54 * Pensione Anita Piazza comunale, Gudo-Progero, 091 859 1107 * Hotel Cereda*** Via Locarno 10, Sementina, 091 851 80 80 * Hotel Alba Lumino ** Via al Battistone, Lumino, 091 829 34 40 * Motel Movenpick.Benjamin *** Monte Carasso, 091 857 01 71 * Motel-Restaurant La Perla*** Sant'Antonino, 091 858 1538 * Youth Hostel IYHF IYHF International Youth Hostel Federation Villa Montebello, Bellinzona, 091 825 1522 * Fattoria Amorosa Am`o`ro´sa n. 1. A wanton woman; a courtesan. "Agro-tourism," Gudo, 091 840 29 50 Tips: * Saturday morning "mercato", street market * First Wednesday of the month: book market at the Piazza Cervia * Must eats: polenta po·len·ta n. A thick mush made of cornmeal boiled in water or stock. [Italian, from Latin, crushed grain, barley meal.] Noun 1. (ground com meal), risotto ri·sot·to n. pl. ri·sot·tos A dish of rice cooked in broth, usually with saffron, and served with grated cheese. [Italian, from riso, rice, from Old Italian; see rice. , Merlot wine * Grottos: Ticino is known for its grotto restaurants which are dug into the hillsides. They are usually small and very inconspicuous in·con·spic·u·ous adj. Not readily noticeable. in  con·spic , but
the interior is quite unique. Many still use caves built before
refrigeration refrigeration, process for drawing heat from substances to lower their temperature, often for purposes of preservation. Refrigeration in its modern, portable form also depends on insulating materials that are thin yet effective. as their main source of kitchen storage.
Inormation Bellinzona Turismo Palazzo Civico 6500 Bellinzona Switzerland Tel-0918252131. info@bellinzonaturismo.ch www.bellinzona.ch www.myswitzerland.com In cooperation with Swiss Cities RELATED ARTICLE: Events in Bellinzona 27 Feb-.3 Mar: Rabadan carnival celebration with parade 9 Apr--14 May: Pianoforte Festival Bellinzona, international piano festival featuring young pianists 1--31 May: Maggio Gastronomico Tre Valli For the Italian actress, see . Valli (Tamil வள்ளி) is the name of prominent Hindu god Murugan's consort, according to Tamil traditions. She is depicted as a the daughter of a tribal chief. , gastronomical gas·tro·nom·ic also gas·tro·nom·i·cal adj. Of or relating to gastronomy. gas tro·nom festival
featuring regional cuisine
Till 4 May: Industrial Architecture--Water Works of Switzerland," phonographic exhibition of photographs in the name of the United Nations' "Year of Water.' At the Castelgrande's Historic Museum 16 May-18 July: "Historical Drawings and Embroidery: Travel Accounts from the 18th Century," an exhibition celebrating Ticinos bicentennial. At the castelgrandes Historical Museum and the Villa dei Cedri art museum. 24 May: Feste Feste playful fool. [Br. Lit.: Twelfth Night] See : Clowns del Bicentenario, Ticino's bicentennial celebration as a Swiss canton 1803--2003 31 May-22 June: Open-air cinema, Castelgrande 26--28 Jun: Piazza Blues Bellinzona, Open-air blues festival 25, 26, 29, 31 July, 2 Aug: Opera al castelgrande, opera performances at the Castelgrande 12--14 Sept: Bacchica di Bellinzona, wine festival 10--12 Oct: Ticino cheese market in Bellinzona 16--23 Nov: Castellinaria Bellinzona, international youth film festival 8 Dec: Christmas market |
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