
For flower lovers, there is no way around Palazzo Gallio in Gravedona on the Easter weekend. The traditional and unique
camellia flower exhibition/Mostra delle Camelie has been taking place there every year since 1972.
The supporting program also has an art exhibition with pictures and sculptures by local artists, as well as a musical concert.
A brief cultural history of the camellia The camellia thrives particularly well on Lake Como. The camellia (Camellia japonica) originally comes from East Asia and is closely related to the tea bush. Camellias are popular ornamental plants in Europe.
About 250 of the evergreen shrub species and small tree species that grow up to 20 m high are known. The plant is very long-lived. The camellia blooms in late winter or spring. The wild species have simple flowers up to 14 cm in size with protruding stamens. The petals turn white, yellow, pink or red.
The leaves of the camellia-related tea bush (Camellia sinensis) are used to make green or black tea. Oils are obtained from the species Camellia oleifera. The use of camellia wood is relatively insignificant.
The camellia was named by Carl von Linn & eacute; 1735 after Georg Joseph Kamel, a Moravian Jesuit priest and pharmacist.
Since the second half of the 18th century, camellias have spread in the gardens of the villas and parks on Lake Como.
Picture gallery Camellia exhibition Here you will find a photo gallery with impressions of the camellia exhibition/Mostra delle Camelie, in the Palazzo Gallio in Gravedona.