Tirano (428m) near the Swiss border has been of strategic importance since ancient times. Proof of this are to be found in rock engravings, the remains of the Sforza’s city walls with their three gates (Poschiavina, Bormina and Milanese - 15th century), the Castle of S. Maria; the noble palaces amongst which the Palazzo Salis (16th century), Quadrio-Curzio (15th-18th), Merizzi 16th-18th), Torelli (16th-19th), Marinoni, Visconti Venosta, Buttafava, Omodei and the Torre Torelli (19th); the religious buildings (S. Perpetua’s and San Rocco’s Church 16th century; the Collegiate of San Martin founded in 774, the oratory of S. Peter 17th century, the Church of SS. Teresa and Agostino 15th century, the ex Church of S. James now a town library (14th century) and important squares such as P.zza Basilica, Marinoni, Cavour and Parravicini. To be visited are: the Sanctuary of the Blessed Virgin (the best Renaissance example in Valtellina), the historic centre, the Ethnological Museum of Tirano, it is also the starting point of the Rhaetian Railway. In October is held the annual Apple festival.