[2024 Bellagio Attraction] Travel Guide for I Giardini di Villa Melzi (Updated Sep)
Botanical Gardens
Exhibition Halls
Address:
Via Lungolario Manzoni, 22021 Bellagio CO, Italy
Opening times:
Opens at 10:00-19:00Open
Recommended sightseeing time:
1-2 hours
Phone:
+39 333 487 7427
Traveling in Italy (3): Bellagio
Bellagio is located at the intersection of the two branches of Lake Como, surrounded by water on three sides, offering unparalleled panoramic views.
Bellagio itself does not have a train station; you must take a car or boat from Como town or Varenna to get there.
Because it is situated at the confluence of the two legs of the 'Y' shape, its unique geographical location provides an exceptionally wide perspective. Climbing the mountain behind it, you can see the entire lake area and surrounding towns. It is said that on clear days, you can see the cathedral of Milan and even Mont Blanc, the highest peak in Europe on the French-Italian border.
Bellagio is a typical Italian town with narrow, winding cobblestone streets, stone walls covered in vines, and beautifully decorated small shops.
The town's cobblestone alleys are built along the hillside, with gift shops, wine cellars, and small restaurants lining the steps.
There are two famous villas in Bellagio: Villa Serbelloni and Villa Melzi. The latter was once the villa of Melzi, a famous politician from the Napoleonic era. The villa's garden is filled with lush plants, adorned with marble statues and Arab-style pavilions.
Villa Melzi was built between 1808 and 1813. This French-style building houses countless tropical plants, full of exotic charm. This villa was the place where Napoleon's king used to linger and rest.
Bellagio, Como Province
Fork in the Road
Charming Tranquility of Villa Melzi
The majestic Villa Melzi d'Eril is located on the shores of Lake Como in the picturesque town of Bellagio, while the peaceful gardens of Villa Melzi (Giardini di Villa Melzi) stretch around it, hugging the lake.
Both the villa and the gardens were built in the early 19th century as the summer home of an Italian duke. The gardens were designed in the English style with statues. On the territory there is a traditional greenhouse (which today houses a museum) and a small chapel.
Inside the museum you will find a bust of Napoleon and a set of ceremonial keys from Milan. The Melzi family is buried in a small chapel.
Although the villa itself is closed to the public, there are plenty of walking paths in the gardens, which are ideal for privacy. Some trails run right along the lake, there are flowering plants on the opposite side, and benches are placed along the road.
Visit the gardens during a full-day walking and boat tour of Lake Como to explore the nearby town of Varenna, taste the local olive oil and enjoy a boat ride on the lake.
Pay attention to the historical Venetian gondola on display in the garden, which was brought here at the request of Napoleon.
Now let's talk in more detail about the gardens.
They were implemented between 1808 and 1810.The customer is Duke Francesco Melzi d'Eril (1753-1816), who was vice-president of the Italian Republic under Napoleon, and then the chief chancellor of the Italian Kingdom.
English-style gardens enriched with sculptures.Created on the rocky shore of Lake Como, around a 3-storey villa.
We just walk, sometimes not forgetting to open umbrellas, we go, carefully looking where we step-puddles everywhere. We are not in a hurry, we just walk and look, admire, inhaling the purest air of the lake. Crystal drops that have fallen on beautiful flowers beckon to capture them...
#trip #historicallandmarks #garden #flowerlover #park