Giubiasco lies on the Magadino plain between Sant’Antonino and Bellinzona. Church art, archaeological history, wine and trails in the hills give the town several distinct attractions. The Chiesa di S. Giobbe, the Madonna degli Angeli Chapel and the main church each showcase different historical and artistic details. When planning a stay, it is also worth looking closely at the differences: some experiences are tied to a particular route, and cellar visits require advance booking.

Church Art and Archaeological History

The Chiesa di S. Giobbe is located by the cemetery. Dating from 1627, it is considered a historic building of cantonal importance. Its rich stucco decoration includes frescoes depicting episodes from the life of the Virgin Mary. The altarpiece by Alessandro Gorla dates from the 17th century. The church thus offers several specific insights into Giubiasco’s sacred art.

Above the Borgo, the Madonna degli Angeli Chapel stands on a small terrace surrounded by a few houses. A rustic portico provides access to the chapel. It was probably built in the Romanesque period and rebuilt in the 15th century. The Renaissance stucco decoration from the 16th century includes putti, festoons and a central rosette; there is also a small stucco altar.

The main church also has a long building history: the present structure 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 name S. Maria di Plumasca or Primasca. Its works of art include fragmentary late Gothic frescoes from the 15th and 16th centuries, including a Last Supper attributed to Lombardus of Lugano.

The Giubiasco necropolis is one of the most important archaeological sites in the southern Alpine region. Its finds date from the late La Tène period through to the Roman era. Archaeological themes thus complement the insights into the town’s sacred architecture and art history.

Hills, Mountain Biking and the Via dell’Acqua Educational Trail

The hills around Giubiasco offer numerous trails for hiking and mountain biking. The MTB & E-BIKE Tours route starts in Giubiasco and runs through the Morobbia Valley to Carena, at an altitude of 958 metres, the route’s endpoint. Along the way, it offers views of the surrounding mountains and the Magadino plain. These named start and end points help with planning an outing; this tour should not be confused with the Via dell’Acqua educational trail.

This educational trail is in the wider regional area around Giubiasco, in the Morobbia Valley. Using nine information panels and photographs, it explains energy generation and the history of water use. The approximately eight-kilometre trail starts in Vellano, a district of S. Antonio. It can be reached from Giubiasco railway station or Piazza Grande Giubiasco by the Giubiasco–Carena post bus. Check the connection again before setting off.

Wine, Events and Arrival

Cagi – Cantina Giubiasco SA offers guided cellar tours by advance booking. The tour ends with a wine tasting accompanied by local cold cuts and cheeses. If you would like to include this visit in your stay, arrange it in advance; booking arrangements may change.

Mercato Coperto Giubiasco is 500 metres from the railway station. There is a bus stop and a large car park nearby. The building hosts a range of events, including trade and industrial fairs, cultural events, art exhibitions, congresses, meetings, training courses, and leisure and sports activities. The programme varies. Check the dates if you would like to include an event in your plans.

Giubiasco is now a district of the municipality of Bellinzona in the canton of Ticino. Until 1 April 2017, it was an independent political municipality and also the main town of the former Giubiasco district. The railway lines also help orient visitors: the Gotthard railway line between Bellinzona and Lugano runs through the town. Giubiasco railway station is also the starting point for the line to Locarno; a line to Luino branches off from it.

Consider which focus best suits your stay, and, if needed, check the connection or arrange your visit in advance.

Discover more destinations: Camorino, Bellinzona, Sant'antonio, Sementina, Arbedo-Castione, Gorduno, Monte Carasso, Carasso.

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