Discover Giubiasco

Giubiasco lies in the Magadino Plain between Sant’Antonino and Bellinzona and is a district of the municipality of Bellinzona in the Canton of Ticino. Until 1 April 2017, Giubiasco was an independent political municipality and the main town of the former Giubiasco district. Churches, archaeological finds, wine visits and tours in the hills showcase different sides of the area.

Church Art and Archaeological History

The Chiesa di S. Giobbe is a church dating from 1627, located by the cemetery, and is considered a historic building of cantonal importance. Its artistic features include rich stucco decoration and frescoes depicting episodes from the life of the Virgin Mary. The altarpiece is by Alessandro Gorla and dates from the 17th century. The necropolis of Giubiasco offers a different window into the past: it is one of the most important archaeological sites in the southern Alpine region and includes finds from the Late La Tène period and the Roman era.

The Madonna degli Angeli Chapel is situated above the Borgo on a small terrace surrounded by a few houses; a rustic portico provides access. The chapel was probably built in the Romanesque period and rebuilt in the 15th century. Its 16th-century Renaissance stucco decoration features putti, festoons and a central rosette, as well as a small stucco altar. The main church in Giubiasco contains fragmentary late Gothic frescoes from the 15th and 16th centuries, including a Last Supper attributed to Lombardus of Lugano. The present building of the main church dates from the 12th century and was altered and extended in the 15th and 17th centuries. It is documented as early as 929 under the names S. Maria di Plumasca or Primasca.

An event from political history is also associated with Giubiasco: in 1186, Frederick Barbarossa issued the charter of liberties for the Locarno region here. Together with the churches’ long architectural and artistic history, this offers another perspective on the area’s historical significance.

Hiking and Cycling Tours

The hills around Giubiasco offer trails for hiking and mountain biking. The MTB & E-BIKE Tours route starts in Giubiasco, passes through the Morobbia Valley and ends in Carena at an altitude of 958 m. Along the way, the route offers views of the surrounding mountains and the Magadino Plain. As trail conditions can change, it is advisable to check them before setting out.

In the wider region, the Via dell’Acqua educational trail runs through the Morobbia Valley. It is about 8 km long and starts in Vellano, a district of S. Antonio. Nine information panels and photographs explain energy production and the history of water use. The trail can be reached by PostBus on the Giubiasco–Carena route from Giubiasco railway station or Piazza Grande Giubiasco. Check connections before travelling. While the MTB route is described as a longer tour to Carena, the educational trail offers insight into the use of water.

Wine Visits and Events

Cagi – Cantina Giubiasco SA offers guided cellar tours by advance booking. The tour ends with a wine tasting paired with local cold cuts and cheeses. Advance booking is required; when arranging your visit, also confirm the current tasting format, as arrangements may change.

Mercato Coperto Giubiasco is 500 m from the railway station; there is a bus stop and a large car park nearby. The events programme includes, among other things, trade and industrial fairs, cultural events and art exhibitions, as well as congresses, conferences, training courses, and leisure and sports activities. The events on offer depend on the programme, so check specific dates in advance. The venue therefore combines a clearly defined event purpose with convenient landmarks around the railway station.

Travel Planning and Getting Around

The Gotthard railway line between Bellinzona and Lugano passes through Giubiasco. The station is also the starting point of the railway line to Locarno, from which a line branches off to Luino. Together with its location between Sant’Antonino and Bellinzona, this helps you place Giubiasco within your regional travel plans. Whether you are interested in church art, archaeological history, a wine tour by advance booking, or activities in the hills, these different themes give you practical starting points for choosing Giubiasco as a destination.

Discover more destinations: Monte Carasso, Lumino Ti, Gnosca, Gorduno, Camorino, Sant'antonio, Carasso, Arbedo-Castione

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