Villa Melzi

Built in neoclassical forms, externally the villa is almost devoid of decorative architectural elements; only the windows, with regular succession, create simple decorative patterns.

The design of Villa Melzi park was entrusted to the important architect Luigi Canonica and the botanist Luigi Villoresi, who had already dealt with the arrangement of Monza Park. The terrain was skilfully adapted with terraces and small bumps. Alongside the traditional botanical choices, and in addition to the exotic ones (typical of the flavour of the era), there is a sculpture ornament distributed throughout the park. like the Egyptian basalt statue of Sekhnetz, goddess of war and a group of sculptures depicting the meeting between Dante and Beatrice.

Villa Melzi d'Eril was built in Bellagio by Francesco Melzi d'Eril, Duke of Lodi, vice-president of the First Italian Republic and personal friend of Napoleon, who wanted to have a summer residence as elegant as the Villa Reale in Monza and other villas on Lake Como.

The project was entrusted to the architect Giocondo Albertolli and the works were carried out from 1808 to 1810, while the park was entrusted to Luigi Canonica and the agronomist Luigi Villoresi, creators of the Park of Monza.

The current owner is Count Gallarati Scotti.

By car
From Como, follow the directions for strada statale SS583 in the direction of Bellagio.
From Lecco, ollow the directions for strada statale SS583-SP583 in the direction of Bellagio.
Parking can be found in the vicinity of the gardens on Lungolario Manzoni road, or in the neighbouring village of Loppia, just a short walk away.

By train
Trains leave Zurich Main Station every hour for Como.
If you are coming from Milan, on the other hand, you can choose the Milano-Como-Bellagio leg leaving from Milano Centrale or the Milano-Como leg from the Stazione Forrovie Nord for Como, and then take a bus or a ferry for Bellagio.

By bus or ferry
To reach Bellagio from Como, you have two options:
1. From Piazzale della stazione (Station Square) in Como you can take one of the frequent buses for Bellagio (there are 10 departures per day).
2. From Como train station you can reach the ferry terminal in 10 minutes. From there you can take one of the frequent ferries or hydrofoils for Bellagio.