Villa Melzi in Bellagio

Francesco Melzi d & rsquo; Eril Duke of Lodi and Vice President of the Republic of Italy at the time of Napoleon decided to build a summer residence at the beginning of the 18th century.

The project was entrusted to the architect Giocondo Albertolli. The work was carried out from 1808 to 1810 . The villa is built in a neoclassical style and has almost no decorative architectural elements. Only the windows, which are arranged in regular order, create a simple but decorative motif.
The park was designed by Luigi Canonica and the agronomist Luigi Villoresi & ndash; as well as the park of Monza. The site has been knowingly provided with terraces and small bumps to create a stage-like effect. The trees, which seem to be arranged at random, are the fruit of careful choice; the locals are joined by exotic species, typical of the taste of the era. The decoration is completed by a series of sculptures that are spread across the park. A Japanese pond with water lilies, surrounded by Japanese maple trees and cedars, is particularly fascinating. Azalea and rhododendron flowers enliven the meadows and hillsides in April and May.

OPENING HOURS: The garden is open every day from March 27th to October 31st. From April to September from 9 a.m. to 6.30 p.m. March and October from 9 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 4.30 p.m.
ACCESS: from the ferry pier in Bellagio, follow the lake promenade for about 600m in a southward direction.
INFORMATION: 031 951281 or 339 4573838

REGION: Lake Como, middle of the lake villas/palaces/parks (Centro Lago)/sights ardities