A fortress since Roman times, Bellinzona is strategically situated on a valley-floor and a natural nexus to such great Alpine passes as the Gotthard, San Bernadino, Novena and Lucomagno. Placed such, smack in the middle of the ancient road from Germany to Italy, sealed its geographic importance and factious future. The three castles and fortifications of the market town of Bellinzona, in the Swiss canton of Ticino, have been named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.