Editing Locarno (section)

===Locarno's castles===
[[File:Castello Visconteo3.jpg|thumb|Castello Visconteo]]
{{Main|Castello Visconteo (Locarno)}}
There were several castles from the [[Early Middle Ages]] in Locarno. One was destroyed by the Milanese in 1156. Another, first mentioned in 1210 as Orelli castle, was occupied in 1342 by the Visconti and enlarged. This castle came to be known as Visconti Castle. In 1531, the Confederates demolished much of the castle, leaving only the central core. The castle was used as the residence of the governor, but in the following centuries, it began to fall apart. From 1804 to 1909, the castle was the seat of the administrative governor and the District Court. After 1909, it came into the possession of the city and was renovated in 1921–28. Since 1920, it has housed the city and Archaeological Museum. In 1507, a defensive bastion or [[ravelin]] was added to protect the castle entrance. It is likely that Leonardo da Vinci designed this structure.<ref name="Swissinfo 11 Aug">{{cite news |url=http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/Home/Archive/Locarno_gets_its_own_da_Vinci_mystery.html?cid=5371158 |title= Locarno gets its own da Vinci mystery |author=Gehring, Françoise |location=Locarno, Switzerland |date=11 August 2006 |publisher=SSR SRG |work=Swissinfo.com |access-date=3 December 2010}}</ref><ref name=HDS_early/> North-east of the castle is Palazzo Casorella (Casa degli Orelli) from the 16th century.