It is no mistake that Bellagio is called the
"pearl" of Lake Como. It is undoubtedly the most famous resort
on the lake. For centuries, Bellagio's scenic location has enchanted artists
and writers, not only from Italy, but also from abroad. It is situated
on the tip of a headland that divides the lake into the two legs of Como
and Lecco.
The town stretches along the coast and part of it goes up the slopes of the
promontory.
Because of its location Bellagio has a great variety of
views; indeed, it offers a good view of the whole lake. On the northern horizon
one can see the Pre-Alps.
Some of the best views can be seen from the park
of Villa Serbelloni and from the top of Monte San Primo. On a particularly clear
day, one can make out the Alps, from Mont Blanc to the Ortles, and the Madonnina
on top of the Duomo of Milan.
Both the historic
center situated at a higher level dominated by the Romanesque Basilica Of San Giacomo (enlarged in the Baroque Age) and the more recent arcade lake-front are
all preserved intact. Among the aristocratic villas let's remember Villa
Serbelloni, first castle, then country residence and transformed into villa at
the end of the 15th century. Later once again restructured in the 17th and
turned into a hotel during the last decade of the 19th century, it is presently
appointed headquarters of conventions and study tours.
The park - the lake's
largest- extends all over the entire promontory to the small town's mount with a
splendid view onto the two branches of the Lake. Viewing the lake is the
Neo-classical Villa Melzi, from the extremely sober and elegant forms, realized
between the 1808 and 1810 and based on Giacomo Albertelli's project for the
Count Francesco Melzi, vice-president and Chancellor of the Kingdom of Italy.
Described by Stendhal, this noble residence as well had among its guests famous
personalities: from the Emperors Francesco I and Ferdinand of Austria to the
musician Liszt. Worthy of mention as well in Bellagio, Villa Trivulzio, built in the 18th
century and restored a century later with its grand English-style park, and
Villa Trotti, in its neo-Gothic remake with Moorish decorations and with
rarities that enrich the park.
