Bellinzona is probably Switzerland's most Italianate town. Bellinzona has 3 castles where the 3 "baillis" of the first 3 cantons that started Switzerland (Uri, Schwyz and Unterwald) settled down after they became masters of the town in 1500.

The fortifications of Bellinzona are among the most important examples of medieval defensive architecture in the Alps, and have been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since the year 2000. From the Castelgrande, Bellinzona's oldest and mightiest castle, there is a beautiful view over the Old Town and the surrounding area.

Following the Act of Mediation in 1803 Bellinzona became part of the independent canton of Ticino, and the capital of the new canton from 1803 to 1814. From that date until 1878, Bellinzona, Lugano, and Locarno, took turns being capital every six years.