The best city hikes and walks around the Ticaround theo

Description Features See also Opening hours 2025/2026 April 5, 2025 - November 9, 2025: 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. November 10, 2025 - March 27, 2026: 10:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. The first human settlement on San Michele Hill dates back to 5500/5000 BC (Neolithic period). The first archaeologically confirmed fortress was built in the 4th century AD. Various documents from the 6th century also mention the existence of a fortified complex. In the 14th century, the castle was first called Castrum Magnum, Castel Grande. This is its current name, although during Swiss rule it was called Uri Castle (1630) or Altdorf Castle, and in 1818, S. Michele Castle.

Spectacular view of the city of Arona and Lake Maggiore

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 https://www.ticino.ch/de/commons/details/Stiftskirche-St-Pietro-e-Stefano/2841.html

a beautiful path on the fortification wall

A very pleasant surprise—you can just walk into the aisle. No barrier, no cash register...

The church has a great view over Bellinzona

Beautiful (albeit small) pedestrian zone, very striking castles and fortifications across the valley

Once you arrive in Arona, walk along the lakeside and have an ice cream, go up to visit the statue of S. Carlone but... don't forget to visit the Rocca too! Founded in a period shortly before the year 1000 under the control of the Lombards, for four centuries the Rocca remained in the hands of the Borromeo family, giving birth to Cardinal San Carlo Borromeo in 1538; the history of the Rocca di Arona ends in 1800 when the Napoleonic army received the order to destroy some fortifications occupied by the Austrians; from that moment on only a few ruins of the Rocca di Arona remain. From above you can also enjoy a spectacular view of Arona below, of Angera opposite and of this entire stretch of lake!