Gardens of Villa Melzi: A Lake Como Treasure

I've tried many times to compose this post in my mind but struggled each time. How do you express that you visited the most exquisite gardens in Italy when you know that you cannot do them justice? Known in English as the Villa Melzi Gardens, i Giardini di Villa Melzi d'Eril are located on the shore of Lake Como in Bellagio and feature a neoclassical villa, acres of carefully appointed gardens, and an impressive selection of sculptures.

Nothing is accidental in this whimsical location. As you enter, you’re handed a pamphlet and encouraged to track down over 60 plants and trees, along with 19 locations filled with sculptures and statues. Join with me as we wander through the gardens together, and I’ll point out some of my favourite sights. I’ll also tell you a little bit more about the history of the villa.

Moorish Pavilion with Sculptures

As we entered the gardens, we spent some time wandering amongst the trees, admiring the Japanese cedar tree and California redwood, before joining the shore again and heading for the Moorish Pavilion.

Busts of Ferdinand I & Josephine Barbo

I love the photo above, showing Monti’s bust of Ferdinand I of Austria as he gazes across Lake Como. Or perhaps his gaze falls on Tadini’s bust of Josephine Barbo?

Comolli's Monument to Dante and Beatrice

We visited on a beautiful summer’s day but I couldn’t help but imagine what it must be like to visit the gardens at night.

I imagined fairy lights and violins, prosecco and chatter.

Della Porta’s Statue of Apollo

The gardens have a timeless feel and I imagined what it must be like to exist as a statue, looking over the waters of Lake Como.

Comolli’s Lions in the Egyptian Style

I was most impressed by how stylistically different Comolli’s Lions were to his monument of Dante and Beatrice pictured above, yet both are beautifully realised.

Water-Lily Basin & Fountain

Della Porta’s Statue of Meleangro

Meanwhile, Della Porta’s statue of Meleager and his hunting dog is similar in style to his statue of Apollo pictured above.

Lake Landing

I could have sat in the shade watching this scene for hours.

As it was, we took a moment to drink some water and collect our thoughts before moving on.

We admired some of the buildings overlooking the property. If my reading of the map was correct, these are apartments. How marvellous to have such a view!

This wall of bamboo inspired me to start my own tiny bamboo section in my garden at home. It’s currently standing at two feet high and nowhere near as impressive as this.

The Villa Melzi

Having explored much of the gardens, we began to approach the main villa. The villa itself is private but we did get to learn a bit about Francesco Melzi d’Eril, statesman and vice president of the Italian Republic under Napolean.

Built in the early 19th century in a refined Neoclassical style, the villa became Melzi's summer residence.

The gardens were designed to mirror the splendour of Lake Como and complement the peaceful aura of the surrounding mountains.

Villa Melzi and gardens are privately owned by the Gallarati Scotti family, descendants of the original Melzi lineage through marriage. Lodovico Melzi d’Eril’s daughter Luisa married Giancarlo Gallarati Scotti in the 19th century.

Today, Lodovico’s grandson Prince Fulco Gallarati Scotti takes care of the estate, ensuring that proceeds from visitors are carefully reinvested into maintaining and enhancing this historic gem in Bellagio.

The Museum in the Old Orangerie

Searching for the public conveniences, we found the small museum located in the old Orangerie.

I was quite fascinated by this old mural.

With one last wander along the avenue lining the shore of Lake Como, we began to make our way back to the ferry terminal in time for our ferry back to Lecco.

We loved our visit to Villa Melzi and felt that it was worth every cent of the €10 entrance fee.

Location: Via Lungo Lario Manzoni, 22021 Bellagio, Italy