Bellinzona voters to decide future of historic fortresses

Bellinzona voters will decide on September 27 whether the city can invest 19 million francs to upgrade its historic fortress complex, a plan that has sparked a dispute over the site’s name, marketing and admission fees, SRF reported.

The three fortresses of Bellinzona have been a UNESCO World Heritage site for 26 years. They are a landmark of the canton and a major tourist attraction.

The proposal would bring Castel Grande, Montebello and Sasso Corbaro together under the name Fortezza, meaning fortress. Former city president and current councillor Brenno Martignoni Polti opposes the change, arguing that the name shapes the identity of the landmark and should not be altered without great caution.

Current city president Mario Branda emphasises the complex’s military history. The three structures were not originally residences for kings or nobles but military fortifications of the Duchy of Milan, where soldiers were tasked with protecting the territory from attacks. Branda therefore supports using the term fortress rather than Castelli, or castles.

Entry fees planned for some attractions

The city also expects improved marketing to generate additional revenue. Visitors would have to pay for access to certain attractions, with the number of paid admissions expected to rise from 40,000 to 100,000.

Branda says broader admission charges are necessary because of the high cost of preserving and maintaining the protected historic complex. Visitors from outside Bellinzona could in future need a ticket even if they only stop for a photograph or selfie. Residents of Bellinzona would continue to have free access.

Part of the planned investment would fund new visitor experiences, including improvements to an underground passage. The aim is to give visitors a sense of medieval life in the fortifications 700 or 800 years ago.

Referendum supported by several small parties

Martignoni Polti launched the referendum with support from several small parties across the political spectrum, including the Swiss People’s Party. He says the proposal goes far beyond structural improvements and rejects the stronger commercialisation of the complex.

In his view, the fortresses should not be marketed at any price or turned into a brand. He also argues that introducing admission fees conflicts with the spirit of UNESCO, saying the fortresses were granted World Heritage status in their current form.

Visitors are divided over the plan. Some value the largely free access and want to preserve it, while others understand the case for admission fees and point to the high cost of maintaining the historic buildings.