Castelli di Bellinzona

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Three castles in a decreasing position, a wall to protect the city and a wall to bar the inside of the Ticino valley bottom. These are the five elements that make up the fortress of Bellinzona, since 2000 inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list. An example of a unique military architecture, the impressive defensive system is the result of an intense construction activity promoted above all in the 15th century by the Dukes of Milan. At that time, Visconti and Sforza feared the advance of the Confederates from the north. The latter succeeded in establishing their dominance in the 16th century, decreeing at the same time, the progressive decline of the fortress as such. Bellinzona, however, continued to occupy a key position for transits between the Po Valley and the Alpine passes.