The elegant and romantic soul of Villa Melzi on Lake Como

Surely, if you have visited Lake Como or are about to do so, you have already heard of very famous villas such as Villa Carlotta, its gardens and azalea blooms, and Villa Balbianello, a historic home of the FAI (Italian National Trust), but maybe not Villa Melzi.

In fact, in these parts, the blooming of Villa Carlotta is considered the blooming par excellence, the one with a capital B, which attracts thousands of visitors every year.

And no doubt it is to be seen at least once in a lifetime!

Hi, I’m Marta, Local Blogger from Lake Como! Need some help planning your trip? Check out my Travel Designer service!

Simply wonderful, a riot of scents and colors. Arboreal rhododendrons, azaleas and camellias paint the garden like a palette. And a century-old wisteria forms a lilac-colored cascade to leave you speechless. Spring in this botanical garden expresses its best and shows itself in all its splendor.

In reality, Villa Carlotta is just one of the many villas overlooking the shores of the Lario.

Starting from Como and going up the western branch, there is no corner where you cannot admire ancient mansions and fantastic gardens.

True, many of these villas are private dwellings. And one must be content to contemplate them from afar, perhaps peering beyond imposing gates and leaving it to one’s imagination to imagine their interiors.

But fortunately, in addition to Villa Carlotta and Villa Balbianello, there are others that are open to the public and can be visited.

And among them, if you love flowers and gardens and you are on Lake Como, the one you just must not miss, especially in spring and autumn, is Villa Melzi, in Bellagio (info on tickets and hours on the villa’s website).

Villa Melzi in 10 shots

Built in 1808 by Francesco Melzi d’Eril, vice president of the Italian Republic at the time of Napoleon, it is now a national monument.

Villa Melzi is located a stone’s throw from the historic center of Bellagio. The atmosphere that awaits you in its gardens is just the right balance of romanticism and neoclassical elegance.

I was there one sunny afternoon, in full bloom, and snapped a few photos. Strolling by the side of the lake among ancient trees, exotic plants, slopes and meadows dotted with azaleas and rhododendrons was rejuvenating, to say the least!

The interiors of the villa cannot be visited. One has to “make do” with the park, but it’s a nice to make do! Easy to see how the atmospheres of this garden inspired the likes of Lizst and Stendhal!

Curious to see on the opposite bank its “almost twin,” Villa Carlotta.

Melzi and Sommariva (the second owner of Villa Carlotta), competing for political reasons, competed also to beautify their gardens and mansions, which were thus enriched with priceless works of art.

Well, we can only thank them for that by looking at the result!

You might also be interested in my Pocket Guide to discover all the other wonders of Lake Como!