RoutesBike touring routes & trailsSwitzerlandTicino
Bellinzona Historic Centre – Old Town of Bellinzona loop from Distretto di Bellinzona
RoutesBike touring routes & trailsSwitzerlandTicino
Bellinzona Historic Centre – Old Town of Bellinzona loop from Distretto di Bellinzona
Easy
4.0
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32
riders
Bellinzona Historic Centre – Old Town of Bellinzona loop from Distretto di Bellinzona
00:35
8.59km
30m
Cycling
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.
Last updated: May 15, 2026
Tips
Cycling is not permitted along parts of this route
After 4.00 km for 55 m
After 5.02 km for 54 m
Waypoints
A
Start point
Bus stop
Get Directions
1
529 m
View of the river near Bellinzona
Highlight • Viewpoint
Great way from the San Bernardino Pass coming just before Bellinzona. From the climate, you feel like you are in Italy, but the snow-capped mountains in the background tell you that you are (still) in Switzerland. Typical Ticino.
Translated by Google •
Tip by
2
3.68 km
Church of St. John the Baptist, Bellinzona
Highlight • Religious Site
Chiesa di San Giovanni, Bellinzona
Church of St. Giovanni Battista
The first mention of a building erected on this site can be found in historical documents dating back to 1136. However, in 1991, an archaeological excavation campaign uncovered the remains of an ancient apse dating from the 8th and 9th centuries, which, along with other finds from later centuries, are on display in the nearby Museum of San Martino. Fragments of polychrome stucco from the 12th to 13th centuries were also discovered in the choir, and parts of late 15th-century frescoes were discovered on the nave walls. In the 17th century, the building was significantly remodeled with Baroque elements, altering its original layout.
The Romanesque-style bell tower was built in the 12th century. It has a rustic character, but its triple windows support a beautiful collection of Romanesque capitals carved from soapstone, depicting animals, heads, hexagons, spikes, palm trees, flowers, and leaves. These are carved in soapstone, which was also used to build the stoves that heated the houses.
The church has a single nave covered by a barrel vault. There are several chapels along the sides.
The interior features numerous paintings on the walls. The altars and choir are richly decorated with polychrome stucco, some of them by Carlo Terugia (1654). The high altar is made of gilded wood and painted with artificial marble (18th century). The openwork brass lamp in front of the altar was, according to tradition, donated by Saint Charles Borromeo. Of interest in the sacristy are three walnut cabinets with twisted columns from the 17th century.
The parish church of San Martino was a plebeian and baptismal church in the valley, as a document from 1136 attests.
Text / Source: Bellinzona e Valli Tourism
bellinzonaevalli.ch/de/commons/details/Kirche-St-Giovanni-Battista/2868.html
Church of St. Giovanni Battista
The first mention of a building erected on this site can be found in historical documents dating back to 1136. However, in 1991, an archaeological excavation campaign uncovered the remains of an ancient apse dating from the 8th and 9th centuries, which, along with other finds from later centuries, are on display in the nearby Museum of San Martino. Fragments of polychrome stucco from the 12th to 13th centuries were also discovered in the choir, and parts of late 15th-century frescoes were discovered on the nave walls. In the 17th century, the building was significantly remodeled with Baroque elements, altering its original layout.
The Romanesque-style bell tower was built in the 12th century. It has a rustic character, but its triple windows support a beautiful collection of Romanesque capitals carved from soapstone, depicting animals, heads, hexagons, spikes, palm trees, flowers, and leaves. These are carved in soapstone, which was also used to build the stoves that heated the houses.
The church has a single nave covered by a barrel vault. There are several chapels along the sides.
The interior features numerous paintings on the walls. The altars and choir are richly decorated with polychrome stucco, some of them by Carlo Terugia (1654). The high altar is made of gilded wood and painted with artificial marble (18th century). The openwork brass lamp in front of the altar was, according to tradition, donated by Saint Charles Borromeo. Of interest in the sacristy are three walnut cabinets with twisted columns from the 17th century.
The parish church of San Martino was a plebeian and baptismal church in the valley, as a document from 1136 attests.
Text / Source: Bellinzona e Valli Tourism
bellinzonaevalli.ch/de/commons/details/Kirche-St-Giovanni-Battista/2868.html
Translated by Google •
Tip by
3
3.88 km
Piazza del Sole with view of Castelgrande
Highlight • Viewpoint
Piazza in the historic center of Bellinzona with a view of the Castel Grande.
Translated by Google •
Tip by
4
4.22 km
Collegiate Church of Saints Peter and Stephen (Collegiata dei Santi Pietro e Stefano)
Highlight • Religious Site
Collegiate Church of Saints Peter and Stephen, Bellinzona
This Renaissance building was designed by a master, Tomaso Rodari from Maroggia (sculptor and architect of the Como Cathedral). The stately façade, constructed of dark Castione stone, dominates the high flight of steps and, between the small, early Renaissance-style side portals, encloses the magnificent main portal, decorated in the upper part with the city's coat of arms. Of particular interest is the large, twelve-pointed rose window (5 m in diameter), created in the late 15th or early 16th centuries. The single-nave interior dates from the 16th and 17th centuries. The church, dating from the 17th century, is rich in stucco work from the 17th century and features a double row of side chapels decorated with paintings from various centuries, predominantly from the 17th century, by famous artists such as Pier Francesco Mazzucchelli (known as Morazzone), Camillo Procaccini, and Bartolomeo Roverio (known as il Genovesino). Among the frescoes, the "Musical Angels" by Giuseppe Antonio Felice Orelli from Locarno, painted in 1770, is particularly noteworthy. The main altarpiece, a Crucifixion attributed to Simone Peterzano, is beautiful. Also worth seeing is the pulpit made of polished colored plaster (an imitation of precious marble), created in 1784, and the holy water font located at the entrance (to the left of the right side portal). This is also called the "fontana trivulziana" (Trivulziana Fountain) because in the 15th century it was a castle fountain owned by the Trivulzio family of Mesocco. A faithful replica of this gem of 15th-century Lombard sculpture stands in the Sforza Castle in Milan. The Collegiata, property of the city of Bellinzona, is the seat of the city center's Catholic parish. It is administered by a chapter of canons under an archpriest. The oratory of St. Martha leans against the northern side wall of the church. The interior consists of a rectangular hall, the walls of which were completely covered with frescoes by Varese painters in 1762. The vaulted ceiling is also painted and depicts the "Triumph of St. Martha," the saint whose 17th-century wooden statue sits enthroned on the marble altar consecrated in 1763.
Text / Source: Agenzia turistica ticinese SA., Via C. Ghiringhelli 7, Bellinzona
ticino.ch/de/commons/details/Stiftskirche-St-Pietro-e-Stefano/2841.html
This Renaissance building was designed by a master, Tomaso Rodari from Maroggia (sculptor and architect of the Como Cathedral). The stately façade, constructed of dark Castione stone, dominates the high flight of steps and, between the small, early Renaissance-style side portals, encloses the magnificent main portal, decorated in the upper part with the city's coat of arms. Of particular interest is the large, twelve-pointed rose window (5 m in diameter), created in the late 15th or early 16th centuries. The single-nave interior dates from the 16th and 17th centuries. The church, dating from the 17th century, is rich in stucco work from the 17th century and features a double row of side chapels decorated with paintings from various centuries, predominantly from the 17th century, by famous artists such as Pier Francesco Mazzucchelli (known as Morazzone), Camillo Procaccini, and Bartolomeo Roverio (known as il Genovesino). Among the frescoes, the "Musical Angels" by Giuseppe Antonio Felice Orelli from Locarno, painted in 1770, is particularly noteworthy. The main altarpiece, a Crucifixion attributed to Simone Peterzano, is beautiful. Also worth seeing is the pulpit made of polished colored plaster (an imitation of precious marble), created in 1784, and the holy water font located at the entrance (to the left of the right side portal). This is also called the "fontana trivulziana" (Trivulziana Fountain) because in the 15th century it was a castle fountain owned by the Trivulzio family of Mesocco. A faithful replica of this gem of 15th-century Lombard sculpture stands in the Sforza Castle in Milan. The Collegiata, property of the city of Bellinzona, is the seat of the city center's Catholic parish. It is administered by a chapter of canons under an archpriest. The oratory of St. Martha leans against the northern side wall of the church. The interior consists of a rectangular hall, the walls of which were completely covered with frescoes by Varese painters in 1762. The vaulted ceiling is also painted and depicts the "Triumph of St. Martha," the saint whose 17th-century wooden statue sits enthroned on the marble altar consecrated in 1763.
Text / Source: Agenzia turistica ticinese SA., Via C. Ghiringhelli 7, Bellinzona
ticino.ch/de/commons/details/Stiftskirche-St-Pietro-e-Stefano/2841.html
Translated by Google •
Tip by
5
4.27 km
Bellinzona Historic Centre
Highlight • Historical Site
Bellinzona is probably the most Italian city in Switzerland. The “skyline” of the Ticino capital is formed by the mighty fortress, which consists of three of the best preserved medieval castles in Switzerland - a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Translated by Google •
Tip by
6
4.35 km
Municipio di Bellinzona
Highlight • Settlement
The Palazzo Civico is an interesting historic building dating back to the city's Visconti period. Today, it houses Bellinzona's Town Hall.
Translated by Google •
Tip by
7
4.52 km
Old Town of Bellinzona
Highlight • Historical Site
Bellinzona Old Town
With elegant churches, magnificent parks, and squares, Bellinzona's old town offers a fascinating insight into the region's history and culture. The remarkable post office building also reflects contemporary Ticino architecture.
Bellinzona undoubtedly deserves its reputation as the most authentic old town in Ticino. The popular "Viale Stazione" street, which leads directly from the train station and into the old town, makes access particularly easy and convenient.
An absolute highlight that shouldn't be missed is the 15th-century Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie. It impresses with its elegance and houses a stunning Renaissance fresco that transports visitors back to a bygone era.
Bellinzona's old town also offers a variety of charming shops, cafés, and restaurants where you can enjoy local cuisine and the Ticino ambiance. The picturesque alleyways invite you to stroll and continually offer new discoveries. Not to be forgotten are the well-preserved city walls and castles that surround the old town, offering an interesting insight into medieval defensive architecture.
Text / Source: Bellinzona e Valli Turismo, Piazza Collegiata 12, Bellinzona
myswitzerland.com/de/erlebnisse/old-town-of-bellinzona
With elegant churches, magnificent parks, and squares, Bellinzona's old town offers a fascinating insight into the region's history and culture. The remarkable post office building also reflects contemporary Ticino architecture.
Bellinzona undoubtedly deserves its reputation as the most authentic old town in Ticino. The popular "Viale Stazione" street, which leads directly from the train station and into the old town, makes access particularly easy and convenient.
An absolute highlight that shouldn't be missed is the 15th-century Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie. It impresses with its elegance and houses a stunning Renaissance fresco that transports visitors back to a bygone era.
Bellinzona's old town also offers a variety of charming shops, cafés, and restaurants where you can enjoy local cuisine and the Ticino ambiance. The picturesque alleyways invite you to stroll and continually offer new discoveries. Not to be forgotten are the well-preserved city walls and castles that surround the old town, offering an interesting insight into medieval defensive architecture.
Text / Source: Bellinzona e Valli Turismo, Piazza Collegiata 12, Bellinzona
myswitzerland.com/de/erlebnisse/old-town-of-bellinzona
Translated by Google •
Tip by
8
5.05 km
Bellinzona Railway Station
Highlight • Rest Area
Bellinzona Railway Station (FFS/SBB) since 1874
Bellinzona Railway Station is a railway station in the Swiss city of Bellinzona and the largest railway junction in the canton of Ticino.
The station was opened in 1874 with the opening of the Ticino Valley Railways, with the Biasca – Bellinzona – Lugano – Chiasso and Bellinzona – Locarno lines. In 1882, with the opening of the Gotthard Tunnel and the associated commencement of operations on the Airolo – Biasca line, connections to the north and German-speaking part of Switzerland were established.
Text/Source: wikipedia.org
de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bahnhof_Bellinzona#:~:text=The%20Bahnhof%20Bellinzona%20ist%20a%20Bahnhof%20in%20der,1921%3B%20im%20Background%20die%20Schl%C3%B6sser%20Montebello%20und%20Castelgrande.
Bellinzona Railway Station is a railway station in the Swiss city of Bellinzona and the largest railway junction in the canton of Ticino.
The station was opened in 1874 with the opening of the Ticino Valley Railways, with the Biasca – Bellinzona – Lugano – Chiasso and Bellinzona – Locarno lines. In 1882, with the opening of the Gotthard Tunnel and the associated commencement of operations on the Airolo – Biasca line, connections to the north and German-speaking part of Switzerland were established.
Text/Source: wikipedia.org
de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bahnhof_Bellinzona#:~:text=The%20Bahnhof%20Bellinzona%20ist%20a%20Bahnhof%20in%20der,1921%3B%20im%20Background%20die%20Schl%C3%B6sser%20Montebello%20und%20Castelgrande.
Translated by Google •
Tip by
B
8.59 km
End point
Bus stop
Way Types & Surfaces
Way Types
2.88 km
2.21 km
2.06 km
650 m
376 m
374 m
Surfaces
5.91 km
1.40 km
1.15 km
< 100 m
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Elevation
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Weather
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Tuesday 14 July
32°C
18°C
87 %
Additional weather tips
Max wind speed: 9.0 km/h
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