Stories from Lake Como
Bellagio, the pearl of Lake Como
Bellagio occupies the promontory that divides the lake into the Como and Lecco branches. Its position, gardens, and historic center have earned it the nickname 'pearl of the lake.'
From the Roman world to international tourism
The area was frequented in Roman times, and Pliny the Younger described his villas on the Lario. In the Middle Ages, Bellagio was a free commune, then entered the orbit of Como and the Duchy of Milan. The presumed origin of the name from the warlord Belloveso is a tradition, not a historical certainty.
Between the sixteenth and eighteenth centuries, it was a fief of the Sfondrati and then the Serbelloni families. In the nineteenth century, hotels and villas welcomed European travelers, transforming the village into an international destination.
Walks and gardens
Salita Serbelloni crosses the heart of the village amidst steps, shops, and glimpses of the lake. At Punta Spartivento, one can observe the meeting of the three branches and the crown of mountains.
The gardens of Villa Melzi, open seasonally, combine neoclassical architecture, sculptures, and exotic plants along the shore. From the lake, the geometry of the promontory is clearly understood.
