Italy in Photos

Giardini di Villa Melzi

Giardini di Villa Melzi in Bellagio, Italy, is one of the most enchanting and elegant gardens on Lake Como, celebrated for its perfect harmony between art, architecture, and nature. Situated along the western shore of the lake, the gardens were designed in the early nineteenth century for Francesco Melzi d’Eril, Duke of Lodi and Vice President of the Italian Republic under Napoleon. The villa and its surrounding landscape were conceived as a refined retreat, a place where classical beauty and romantic sensibility coexist in a tranquil lakeside setting.

The gardens were designed by the architect Giocondo Albertolli, who was also responsible for the neoclassical villa, while the English-style landscape layout was created by Luigi Canonica and the botanist Luigi Villoresi. The design reflects the Romantic movement of the time, favouring natural shapes and soft transitions rather than rigid geometric patterns. Gently curving pathways guide visitors through groves of ancient trees, flowering shrubs, and exotic plants collected from around the world. Sculptures, columns, and monuments are artfully positioned throughout, creating a dialogue between nature and art that feels both spontaneous and deliberate.

Among the most notable features of Giardini di Villa Melzi are its serene lakeside terraces and the small Moorish pavilion that offers stunning views across the shimmering waters of Lake Como. The garden’s harmonious blend of native and exotic species includes azaleas, camellias, rhododendrons, and towering cedars. In spring, the park becomes a spectacle of colour, with blossoms reflecting in the calm blue of the lake. The atmosphere is peaceful and contemplative, inviting visitors to stroll slowly, pause on benches shaded by magnolias, and take in the scent of blooming flowers carried on the breeze.

The villa itself, though not open to the general public, provides a graceful backdrop to the gardens. Its clean neoclassical lines, white façade, and lakeside position emphasize elegance without excess. Within the grounds, visitors can also find a small chapel, a family mausoleum, and a charming orangery that now houses a museum dedicated to the history of the villa and its distinguished guests, including writers, musicians, and artists who drew inspiration from its beauty.