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

M Madinina (2 years ago)
It was named the most beautiful garden of Italy in 2016 and it deserve the label. It is a must do in Bellagio. Such a beautiful, peaceful place. The view is simply stunning. There is a museum. Plants have labels to identify their names and origins.

June Yan (2 years ago)
Very beautiful and well maintained garden, I went shortly after the gates opened but it does eventually get quite a bit busier. Lovely views of the lake!

Paule Santos (2 years ago)
Well maintained garden. Its beautiful and has some nice views in the elevated areas but I liked the garden in Villa Monastero at Varenna a little more. Still a good place to take a stroll though! Its also a Bit more peaceful here.

Chloe (2 years ago)
Lovely well maintained gardens with excellent information to aid the experience. I was expecting more flowers, however there was mostly trees. The museum was informative with easily digestible reading. Great views overlooking lake Como.

Victoria K. (2 years ago)
One of the most beautiful places and gardens I’ve seen. It’s clean, the staff is constantly working to keep it gorgeous. Definitely worth a visit. I enjoyed very much taking a walk in the garden.

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Photo from Flickr, copyright Wikimedia Commons

Historic Site of the week

Château du Lude

The Château du Lude is one of the many great châteaux of the Loire Valley in France. Le Lude is the most northerly château of the Loire Valley and one of the last important historic castles in France, still inhabited by the same family for the last 260 years. The château is testimony to four centuries of French architecture, as a stronghold transformed into an elegant house during the Renaissance and the 18th century. The monument is located in the valley of Le Loir. Its gardens have evolved throughout the centuries.

Villa Melzi d'Eril

Address

Details

More Information

Rating

Interesting Sites Nearby

User Reviews

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Finest Norman castles in Italy

Exploring the History of Northern Poland

Discovering Slovenia's Historic Wonders

Historic Site of the week

Château du Lude