Castel Grande is the starting point of an exceptional urban dialogue embodied in the creations of Ticino's major 20th century architects. Following the Murata, note the imposing, circular-shaped Business Centre designed by Mario Botta. A little further on, reach Palazzo Franscini, designed by Luca Ortelli, housing a unique centre in Switzerland which brings together five cultural institutions.

Walk alongside the Ticino River in a northerly direction to reach the recreational and leisure areas. The public swimming pool was designed in 1970 by architects Aurelio Galfetti, Flora Ruchat-Roncati and Ivo Trümpy.

Surrounded by green trees and lawns, it’s an extraordinary summer leisure area which, over the subsequent years, was completed by the Tennis Club (Aurelio Galfetti) and the Sports Centre with an indoor swimming pool and an ice rink.

Crossing the walkway over Via Mirasole is the red-brick former secondary school designed by Alberto Camenzind. Continue northwards to find “le case al Vallone” by Roberto Bianconi and the new Middle School 2 by Livio Vacchini which set in a vast agricultural area and is destined to accommodate Bellinzona into the 21st century.

Walking back towards the town centre, it takes just a few minutes to reach the Chiesa del Sacro Cuore church by Rino and Carlo Tami and the post office building on Viale Stazione (Angelo Bianchi, Aurelio Galfetti and Renzo Molina), which leads back into the historic town centre. The Palazzo Fabrizia (Luigi Snozzi and Livio Vacchini) can be seen from Piazza del Sole, also designed by Livio Vacchini. On the other side of the ancient wall delimiting the Piazza sits Piazzetta Mario Della Valle with an entrance into the rock that represents a symbolic third castle tower and provides modern and easy access to the Castel Grande complex.

The route then continues southward along Via Lugano, passing the nearby administrative and residential building for which Mario Botta received the Marble Architectural Award. The route continues on to Giubiasco through the residential neighbourhoods of Ravecchia and Pedevilla with majestic historic villas, rustic homes and new buildings of exquisite architecture.

The Giubiasco village centre has undergone radical changes in recent years. Commissioned by the municipality, Lorenzo Custer introduced cutting-edge and quality solutions for slow mobility and redesigned the entire area around Piazza Grande which is now the venue of a biennial open-air art exhibition.