Villa Melzi d'Eril, Bellagio, Italy

Villa Melzi d’Eril was created as the summer residence of Francesco Melzi d’Eril, vice president of the Italian Republic that was founded by Napoleon in the early 1800s. Located in Bellagio, this vast complex is one of the most popular attractions among tourists who visit the Pearl of Lake Como.

Unfortunately, Villa Melzi is not open to the public but you can visit its gardens, designed by architect Luigi Canonica and agronomist Luigi Villoresi. Experience a fascinating walk in the Villa Melzi gardens, and enjoy the perfect balance between architecture and natural beauty.

The Villa Melzi gardens are preserved with great care by the family Gallarati Scotti, the current owners. A long avenue of plane trees begins at the landing of the boats. Gardens of azaleas and gigantic rhododendrons surround the villa, enclosing small spaces such as the hidden cave or the artificial pond in Japanese style. In the Orangery adjacent to the villa there is a small museum, which exhibits Napoleonic memorabilia, evidence of Duke Francesco Melzi d’Eril’s loyalty to Napoleon.

The Villa Melzi gardens also have many exotic and rare plants which alternate with secular trees, big camellia hedges, and many other plant species.

References:

Lake Como Travel

User Reviews

Amol Raorane (12 months ago)
A beautiful, quaint garden in a small hamlet in Bellagio. Acres of well manicured lawns are dotted with colorful flower plants and Gothic structures and a villa. It's kissed by the gentle waves of Lake Como on one side and rises up on a hilly slope on the other.

Darius Vincze (13 months ago)
How was it? Closed. It was closed. Beautiful through the fence though...

Paul Beckman (15 months ago)
Pretty walk along the lake, with some interesting and large tree specimens, a small Japanese garden. Three stars because it seems a bit overpriced for its size and extent. There is a decent guide sheet that had some inaccuracies.

Megan Balot (2 years ago)
Lovely botanical garden. My fiancé proposed here so it is now one of my favorite places in the world! All bias aside, I recommend walking the gardens. Go way before sunset - they close kinda early.

Russell Marsh (2 years ago)
Beautiful gardens. I was expecting something bigger but I guess there is not that much space but the whole area is lovely. Easy to go have a look around and then you can pop back into town for brunch and a glass of vino.

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Photo from Flickr, copyright Frans.Sellies

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