Bellinzona Voters Reject Castle Renovation Plan

A proposal to restore and rename the three castles in Bellinzona, Switzerland has been rejected by voters. The 19-million-franc project aimed to modernize the historic site, expand museum offerings, and improve access and security.

The city council had planned to spend over 4.5 million Swiss francs on the renovation, with the remaining funds covered by the federal government and the canton. However, critics argued that the term 'fortress' obscured the historical connection to the individual castles.

A former mayor, Brenno Martignoni Polti, led the opposition against the project, stating that tourists should not have to pay to enter the courtyard of Castel Grande. The renovation was expected to attract more visitors and double the current 40,000 annual paying visitors.