Castelgrande ( Italian. Castel Grande , a romansh . Castelgrande , literally - the Big Castle ) - the castle in Bellinzona . It is part of the three defenses of the city and the UNESCO World Heritage Site " Three Castles, fortified walls and ramparts of the commercial city of Bellinzona " [2]
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The first (in terms of creation) of the castles of Bellinzona - Castelgrande - stands on a rocky hill, which has almost steep slopes on the north side and a steep rise from the south, but almost flat top 150–200 m in diameter . The natural form of the rock served as the basis for the creation of artificial fortifications with the same contours. On the hill of Castelgrande, the first fortifications were built by the Romans , at least at the end of the 1st century AD. er and until the thirteenth century it was the only fortification in Bellinzona. During its history, the castle has changed several names: the Citadel (until the XIII century), the Old Castle in the XIV-XV centuries, the Uri Castle (Uri) from 1506 and the Castle of St. Michael after 1818. [3]
While the Roman fortifications were not preserved, the medieval castle built on their basis (parts of the fortress wall erected in the 13th century ) survived to the present day. In the period 1250 - 1500 years . The castle was extensively renovated and expanded several times. At the same time, from the side of a steep slope of a hill, fortifications did not exist until the XIV or XV century.
Inside the castle walls now there are no medieval buildings left, and the interior of Castelgrande is an open area.
The results of archaeological research show that there were numerous buildings inside the castle, dating from the XI to the XV century, but most of them were demolished by the dukes of Milan to free up the internal space. The open area was surrounded by three powerful castle walls, which served to ensure the protection of the Milan troops temporarily stationed in Bellinzona. During the reign of the Dukes of Milan, the external fortifications of Castelgrande were strengthened. The walls were raised, expanded, added towers, in addition, the western wall of the castle was completely restored and connected to the city walls.
The highest tower Castelgrande - Torre Bianca (Torre Bianca, White Tower) was built in the XIII century . Near the tower was located the palace of the Bishop of Como (mentioned in documents of the XII century), which contains an even earlier masonry of the X or XI century. The neighboring South Wing was built in two phases during the 13th and 15th centuries on the foundations of the earlier building. West of the South Wing is a building that was built in the 19th century as an arsenal and completely renovated in the 20th century. Archaeological excavations have shown that there were two chapels in the castle, from which only foundations have survived to this day. At the western wall of the castle are the ruins of a church, possibly dedicated to the Virgin Mary. The rest of the buildings that were within the castle were completely destroyed.
Getting from Bellinzona to Castelgrande Castle is only possible on foot , climbing the steep, narrow streets from the Market Square in the old part of the city to the city wall and the base of the castle.
In the South wing of the castle is the branch of the Bellinzona Museum , which exhibits from the first settlements in the Bellinzona area in the Neolithic period to the XX century. [four]
In the building of the XIX century arsenal is a restaurant . [five]
Notes
- ↑ 1 2 archINFORM - 1994.
- ↑ Three castles, walls and ramparts of the commercial city of Bellinzona
- ↑ ア ー カ イ ブ さ れ た コ ピ ー . The date of circulation is July 4, 2013. Archived October 7, 2013. Castelgrande official website
- ↑ Bellinzona Turismo - Castelgrande
- ↑ Castelgrande