Bellagio, Lombardy
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Bellagio (; ) is a ''
comune A (; : , ) is an administrative division of Italy, roughly equivalent to a township or municipality. It is the third-level administrative division of Italy, after regions () and provinces (). The can also have the City status in Italy, titl ...
'' (municipality) in the
Province of Como The province of Como (; Comasco dialect, Comasco: ) is a Provinces of Italy, province in the Lombardy region of Italy. It borders the Switzerland, Swiss cantons of Ticino and Grisons, Grigioni to the north, the Italian provinces of Province of ...
in the
Lombardy The Lombardy Region (; ) is an administrative regions of Italy, region of Italy that covers ; it is located in northern Italy and has a population of about 10 million people, constituting more than one-sixth of Italy's population. Lombardy is ...
region of
Italy Italy, officially the Italian Republic, is a country in Southern Europe, Southern and Western Europe, Western Europe. It consists of Italian Peninsula, a peninsula that extends into the Mediterranean Sea, with the Alps on its northern land b ...
. It is situated on
Lake Como Lake Como ( , ) also known as Lario, is a lake of glacial origin in Lombardy, Italy. It has an area of , making it the third-largest lake in Italy, after Lake Garda and Lake Maggiore. At over deep, it is one of the deepest lakes in Europe. ...
, known also by its Latin name ''Lario'', where the lake's two southern arms branch, creating the ''Triangolo lariano''. Bellagio's location at the tip of this promontory, looking out across the lake's northern arm towards the
Alps The Alps () are some of the highest and most extensive mountain ranges in Europe, stretching approximately across eight Alpine countries (from west to east): Monaco, France, Switzerland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Germany, Austria and Slovenia. ...
, has long been noted for its scenic beauty. Bellagio is part of the '' Comunità montana del Triangolo lariano'', headquartered in
Canzo Canzo (; , ; Canzés, locally: ) is a ''comune'' (municipality) of the Italian province of Como. It is the last town north of the historical Brianza region of Lombardy, capital of the Lake Como Triangle community and a regional tourism destinat ...
.


History


Early history

Traces of human presence around Bellagio date back to the
Paleolithic The Paleolithic or Palaeolithic ( years ago) ( ), also called the Old Stone Age (), is a period in human prehistory that is distinguished by the original development of stone tools, and which represents almost the entire period of human prehist ...
period, approximately 30,000 years ago. Around the 7th to 5th centuries BC, a ''castellum'' (fortified hilltop settlement) may have existed on the promontory, potentially serving as a place of worship and trade for the scattered villages around the lake. From around 400 BC, the
Insubres The Insubres or Insubri were an ancient Celtic population settled in Insubria, in what is now the Italian region of Lombardy. They were the founders of Mediolanum (Milan). Though completely Gaulish at the time of Roman conquest, they were the re ...
, a Celtic tribe, are identified as the first inhabitants of the Bellagio area. They occupied the western shore of Lake Como up to its central point. The
Orobii The Orobii (also Orobi, Oromobi or Orumbovii) were a Celto-Ligurian tribe dwelling around present-day Como and Bergamo during the Iron Age. Name They are mentioned as ''Orobii'' by Cato the Elder (early 2nd century BC). The ethnic name ''Orob ...
inhabited the northern arm of the lake and its eastern bank. The Insubres maintained their independence until the arrival of the
Gauls The Gauls (; , ''Galátai'') were a group of Celts, Celtic peoples of mainland Europe in the Iron Age Europe, Iron Age and the Roman Gaul, Roman period (roughly 5th century BC to 5th century AD). Their homeland was known as Gaul (''Gallia''). Th ...
led by Belloveso around 600 BC. The Gauls subjugated the Insubres, establishing themselves in Milan and Como, and garrisoning Bellagio as the northernmost point of their territory. This Gallo-Insubrian culture blended with the existing population, leaving traces in local place names such as Crux Galli (now Grosgalla) near Lezzeno, and Gallo, a small chapel on the old road to Limonta marking the border between municipalities.


Roman era

In 225 BC, the Romans began their expansion northward, leading to the occupation of Gallo-Insubrian territory. Roman forces under Consul
Marcus Claudius Marcellus Marcus Claudius Marcellus (; 270 – 208 BC) was a Roman general and politician during the 3rd century BC. Five times elected as Roman consul, consul of the Roman Republic (222, 215, 214, 210, and 208 BC). Marcellus gained the most prestigious a ...
defeated the Gallo-Insubres near Camerlata, taking control of Como and Lake Como's shores. During the
Second Punic War The Second Punic War (218 to 201 BC) was the second of Punic Wars, three wars fought between Ancient Carthage, Carthage and Roman Republic, Rome, the two main powers of the western Mediterranean Basin, Mediterranean in the 3rd century BC. For ...
, the Insubres briefly allied with
Hannibal Hannibal (; ; 247 – between 183 and 181 BC) was a Punic people, Carthaginian general and statesman who commanded the forces of Ancient Carthage, Carthage in their battle against the Roman Republic during the Second Punic War. Hannibal's fat ...
in hopes of regaining independence, but their aspirations were quashed by defeat in 194 BC, and the territory was fully incorporated into a Roman province by 80 BC. Bellagio became a Roman garrison and a transit point for Roman armies heading to
Raetia Raetia or Rhaetia ( , ) was a province of the Roman Empire named after the Rhaetian people. It bordered on the west with the country of the Helvetii, on the east with Noricum, on the north with Vindelicia, on the south-west with Transalpine ...
and the
Splügen Pass The Splügen Pass (; ; ) is an Alpine mountain pass of the Lepontine Alps. It connects the Swiss, Grisonian Splügen to the north below the pass with the Italian Chiavenna to the south at the end of the Valle San Giacomo below the pass ...
. Troops overwintered near present-day Villa Serbelloni, benefiting from shelter from northerly winds and the area's mild climate. The Latin names Belacius and Bislacus suggest a possible origin in "Bi-lacus" ("between the lakes"). Between 81 and 77 BC, Cornelius Scipio established a colony of 3,000 Latin settlers around Lake Como.
Julius Caesar Gaius Julius Caesar (12 or 13 July 100 BC – 15 March 44 BC) was a Roman general and statesman. A member of the First Triumvirate, Caesar led the Roman armies in the Gallic Wars before defeating his political rival Pompey in Caesar's civil wa ...
, as proconsul from 59 BC, further augmented the population with 5,000 colonists, including 500 Greeks from Sicily. These diverse origins contributed to Bellagio's evolving ethnic makeup. Its strategic importance grew, serving not only as a wintering location but also as a harbor for warships, particularly at Loppia, where a natural inlet facilitated repairs. Loppia developed into one of Bellagio's earliest suburbs. The Romans introduced Mediterranean crops such as olives and bay laurel. The Latin name for bay laurel, ''Laurus'', is believed to be the origin of Lake Como's Latin name, ''Larius''. Other introductions included the chestnut, cypress, and various herbaceous plants. During the early Roman Empire,
Virgil Publius Vergilius Maro (; 15 October 70 BC21 September 19 BC), usually called Virgil or Vergil ( ) in English, was an ancient Rome, ancient Roman poet of the Augustan literature (ancient Rome), Augustan period. He composed three of the most fa ...
and
Pliny the Younger Gaius Plinius Caecilius Secundus (born Gaius Caecilius or Gaius Caecilius Cilo; 61 – ), better known in English as Pliny the Younger ( ), was a lawyer, author, and magistrate of Ancient Rome. Pliny's uncle, Pliny the Elder, helped raise and e ...
brought renown to Lake Como and Bellagio. Virgil mentioned "great Lario" in his ''Georgics''. Pliny the Younger maintained a summer villa, known as "Tragedy", near Bellagio's summit, where he spent extended periods studying, writing, hunting, and fishing, as documented in his letters regarding his Bellagio villas. In 9 AD, Roman legions, including soldiers from Bellagio's garrison, passed through Bellagio under
Publius Quinctilius Varus Publius Quinctilius Varus (46 BC or before – September AD 9) was a Roman general and politician. Serving under Augustus, who founded the Roman Empire, he is generally remembered for having lost three Roman legions in the Battle of the Teutob ...
on their way to Germany via the Splügen Pass. These legions were later annihilated in the
Battle of the Teutoburg Forest The Battle of the Teutoburg Forest, also called the Varus Disaster or Varian Disaster () by Ancient Rome, Roman historians, was a major battle fought between an alliance of Germanic peoples and the Roman Empire between September 8 and 11, 9&nbs ...
.


Middle Ages

During the
Migration Period The Migration Period ( 300 to 600 AD), also known as the Barbarian Invasions, was a period in European history marked by large-scale migrations that saw the fall of the Western Roman Empire and subsequent settlement of its former territories ...
,
Narses Narses (also spelled Nerses; ; ; ; c. 478–573) was a distinguished Byzantine general and statesman of Armenian heritage, renowned for his critical role in Emperor Justinian I’s military campaigns. Alongside the famed Belisarius, Narses was ...
, a general serving Emperor
Justinian I Justinian I (, ; 48214 November 565), also known as Justinian the Great, was Roman emperor from 527 to 565. His reign was marked by the ambitious but only partly realized ''renovatio imperii'', or "restoration of the Empire". This ambition was ...
, established a defensive line along Lake Como against the Goths. This line included fortifications at Bellagio, Isola Comacina, and Castel Baradello. Around 568, the
Lombards The Lombards () or Longobards () were a Germanic peoples, Germanic people who conquered most of the Italian Peninsula between 568 and 774. The medieval Lombard historian Paul the Deacon wrote in the ''History of the Lombards'' (written betwee ...
under
Alboin Alboin (530s – 28 June 572) was List of kings of the Lombards, king of the Lombards from about 560 until 572. During his reign the Lombards ended their migration period, migrations by settling in Kingdom of the Lombards, Italy, the northern ...
invaded the Po Valley and settled in Lombardy, including the Alpine valleys and lake regions. Bellagio's fortress was also occupied. In 744, Lombard King Liutprand resided there. The
Franks file:Frankish arms.JPG, Aristocratic Frankish burial items from the Merovingian dynasty The Franks ( or ; ; ) were originally a group of Germanic peoples who lived near the Rhine river, Rhine-river military border of Germania Inferior, which wa ...
under
Charlemagne Charlemagne ( ; 2 April 748 – 28 January 814) was List of Frankish kings, King of the Franks from 768, List of kings of the Lombards, King of the Lombards from 774, and Holy Roman Emperor, Emperor of what is now known as the Carolingian ...
entered Piedmont and Lombardy, defeating the Lombards at the Battle of Pavia in 773. Lombard territory was divided into
counties A county () is a geographic region of a country used for administrative or other purposesL. Brookes (ed.) '' Chambers Dictionary''. Edinburgh: Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd, 2005. in some nations. The term is derived from the Old French denoti ...
, marking the beginning of feudalism. Bellagio became part of the County of Milan under Frankish rule. In 834,
Lothair I Lothair I (9th. C. Frankish: ''Ludher'' and Medieval Latin: ''Lodharius''; Dutch and Medieval Latin: ''Lotharius''; German: ''Lothar''; French: ''Lothaire''; Italian: ''Lotario''; 795 – 29 September 855) was a 9th-century emperor of the ...
, grandson of Charlemagne, granted feudal lordship of Limonta and Civenna to the monks of Saint Ambrose of Milan, along with
Campione d'Italia Campione d'Italia (; ) is a (municipality) of the Province of Como in the Italy, Italian region of Lombardy. Located on the shores of Lake Lugano, it is an enclave surrounded by the Switzerland, Swiss canton of Ticino. At its closest, the encla ...
. Residents of Limonta and Civenna, later part of Bellagio's parish of St. John, were obligated to provide produce (olive oil, chestnuts, etc.) to the monks for centuries. The
Ottonian dynasty The Ottonian dynasty () was a Saxons, Saxon dynasty of German monarchs (919–1024), named after three of its kings and Holy Roman emperors, especially Otto the Great. It is also known as the Saxon dynasty after the family's origin in the German ...
of Germany followed. During the reign of Henry V, a decade-long war (1117–1127) erupted over the Bishopric of Como. Milan supported a bishop appointed by the German Emperor, while Como favored Guido Grimoldi, consecrated by the Pope. Bellagio, allied with Milan, Isola Comacina, and
Gravedona Gravedona ed Uniti is a ''comune'' (municipality) in the province of Como in the Italy, Italian region of Lombardy, located about north of Milan and about northeast of Como. The municipality of Gravedona ed Uniti contains the ''frazione, fr ...
, contributed its fleet to the conflict, which involved numerous skirmishes on land and water. The war concluded with the destruction of Como and its subjugation to Milan. By 1100, Bellagio may have already been a free commune with its own tribunal, with only nominal dependence on Como. However, Bellagio's strategic location made it a target for Como, leading to incursions and naval battles. In 1154, under
Frederick Barbarossa Frederick Barbarossa (December 1122 – 10 June 1190), also known as Frederick I (; ), was the Holy Roman Emperor from 1155 until his death in 1190. He was elected King of Germany in Frankfurt on 4 March 1152 and crowned in Aachen on 9 March 115 ...
, Bellagio was compelled to pledge loyalty and pay tribute to Como. Following the destruction of Milan by Frederick Barbarossa in 1162, Como attacked Isola Comacina in 1169, devastating it and forcing inhabitants to seek refuge in Varenna and Bellagio, considered strongholds at the time. Bellagio joined the
Lombard League The Lombard League (; ) was an alliance of cities formed in 1167, and supported by the popes, to counter the attempts by the Hohenstaufen Holy Roman emperors to establish direct royal administrative control over the cities of the Kingdom of It ...
, allying with Milan against Barbarossa and Como, and participated in the
Battle of Legnano The battle of Legnano was a battle between the imperial army of Frederick Barbarossa and the troops of the Lombard League on 29 May 1176, near the town of Legnano, in present-day Lombardy, Italy. Although the presence of the enemy nearby was al ...
in 1176.


Renaissance and Baroque periods

Towards the end of the 13th century, Bellagio, previously aligned with the
Ghibellines The Guelphs and Ghibellines ( , ; ) were factions supporting the Pope (Guelphs) and the Holy Roman Emperor (Ghibellines) in the Italian city-states of Central Italy and Northern Italy during the Middle Ages. During the 12th and 13th centurie ...
, became part of the dominion of the House of Visconti and was incorporated into the
Duchy of Milan The Duchy of Milan (; ) was a state in Northern Italy, created in 1395 by Gian Galeazzo Visconti, then the lord of Milan, and a member of the important Visconti of Milan, Visconti family, which had been ruling the city since 1277. At that time, ...
. In 1440, during Visconti rule, residents of Cernobbio attacked Bellagio's prison, freeing political prisoners who then fled into the Bellagio mountains and founded a settlement named Cernobbio, commemorating their origin. Upon the death of
Filippo Maria Visconti Filippo Maria Visconti (3 September 1392 – 13 August 1447) was the duke of Duchy of Milan, Milan from 1412 to 1447. Reports stated that he was "paranoid", but "shrewd as a ruler." He went to war in the 1420s with Romagna, Republic of Florenc ...
, Visconti power waned. The
Golden Ambrosian Republic The Golden Ambrosian Republic (; ; 1447–1450) was a short-lived republic founded in Milan by members of the University of Pavia with popular support, during the first phase of the Milanese War of Succession. With the aid of Francesco Sforza th ...
briefly governed the area (1447–1450) until Milan surrendered to
Francesco Sforza Francesco I Sforza (; 23 July 1401 – 8 March 1466) was an Italian condottiero who founded the Sforza dynasty in the duchy of Milan, ruling as its (fourth) duke from 1450 until his death. In the 1420s, he participated in the War of L'Aqui ...
, who became Duke of Milan and Lombardy. Bellagio, occupied by Sforza's troops in 1449 during the succession war, was among the first towns on the lake to support Sforza rule. In 1508, under Ludovico il Moro (1479–1508), the estate of Bellagio was transferred from the Bishop of Como to the Marquis of Stanga, a treasurer, ambassador, and confidant of il Moro. Stanga constructed a new villa on Bellagio hill, later destroyed in a raid by the Cavargnoni. In 1535, with the death of Francesco II Sforza, the last Sforza Duke of Milan, Lombardy and the Lake Como region came under
Spanish Spanish might refer to: * Items from or related to Spain: **Spaniards are a nation and ethnic group indigenous to Spain **Spanish language, spoken in Spain and many countries in the Americas **Spanish cuisine **Spanish history **Spanish culture ...
rule for two centuries, the era depicted in
Alessandro Manzoni Alessandro Francesco Tommaso Antonio Manzoni (, , ; 7 March 1785 – 22 May 1873) was an Italian poet, novelist and philosopher. He is famous for the novel ''The Betrothed (Manzoni novel), The Betrothed'' (orig. ) (1827), generally ranked among ...
's novel '' The Betrothed''. The Derta steps, connecting Guggiate and Suira, were built during Spanish rule. In 1533,
Francesco Sfondrati Francesco Sfondrati (26 October 149331 July 1550) was a professor of law at a series of Italian universities, and held important positions as a counselor of Emperor Charles V. He married Anna Visconti, with whom he had a number of children, one ...
, through marriage to a Visconti, acquired the fiefdom of Bellagio. For over 200 years, the Sfondrati family, prominent in Milanese society, governed Bellagio. Francesco Sfondrati and later Ercole Sfondrati, who retired to the villa in his later years to pursue religious devotion, renovated the ruins of Villa Stanga. Ercole also built the church and convent of the Capuchins in 1614 on the peninsula, investing significantly in landscaping with cypress trees and sweet olive trees. Bellagio's strategic location fostered the growth of small industries, notably candle-making and silk weaving, supported by silkworm cultivation and mulberry trees. In 1788, upon the death of Carlo Sfondrati, the last of his line, Bellagio passed to Count Alessandro Serbelloni, becoming Serbelloni Sfondrati.


18th and 19th centuries

During the brief Napoleonic era, Bellagio's port gained military and strategic importance. A decision that significantly shaped Bellagio's future was Count Francesco Melzi d'Eril, Duke of Lodi and Vice President of the
Cisalpine Republic The Cisalpine Republic (; ) was a sister republic or a client state of France in Northern Italy that existed from 1797 to 1799, with a second version until 1802. Creation After the Battle of Lodi in May 1796, Napoleon Bonaparte organized two ...
, choosing Bellagio for his summer residence. Melzi constructed Villa Melzi on the western shore near Loppia, attracting Milanese nobility and transforming the promontory into a fashionable social hub. Carriage roads were built, initially connecting villas and palaces, then extending to the town center, and finally the provincial road Erba–Bellagio was completed. Bellagio's reputation as a lakeside resort spread beyond the
Kingdom of Lombardy–Venetia The Kingdom of Lombardy–Venetia (), commonly called the "Lombardo-Venetian Kingdom" (; ), was a constituent land (crown land) of the Austrian Empire from 1815 to 1866. It was created in 1815 by resolution of the Congress of Vienna in recogniti ...
. Emperor Francis I of Austria visited in 1816 and returned in 1825, staying at Villas Serbelloni, Trotti, and Melzi. The Romantic movement's appreciation of landscape influenced perceptions of the Italian lakes.
Stendhal Marie-Henri Beyle (; 23 January 1783 – 23 March 1842), better known by his pen name Stendhal (, , ), was a French writer. Best known for the novels ''Le Rouge et le Noir'' ('' The Red and the Black'', 1830) and ''La Chartreuse de Parme'' ('' T ...
first visited in 1810, writing: While staying at Villa Melzi, Stendhal wrote:
Franz Liszt Franz Liszt (22 October 1811 – 31 July 1886) was a Hungarian composer, virtuoso pianist, conductor and teacher of the Romantic music, Romantic period. With a diverse List of compositions by Franz Liszt, body of work spanning more than six ...
and his mistress Comtesse Marie d'Agoult spent four months in Bellagio in 1837, en route from Switzerland to Como and Milan. In Bellagio, Liszt composed piano pieces that became ''Album d'un voyageur (1835–38)'', inspired by the landscapes as seen through the eyes of
Byron George Gordon Byron, 6th Baron Byron (22 January 1788 – 19 April 1824) was an English poet. He is one of the major figures of the Romantic movement, and is regarded as being among the greatest poets of the United Kingdom. Among his best-kno ...
and Senancour. These works contributed to Bellagio's image as a Romantic destination. D'Agoult's letters suggest they were aware of foreshadowing the advent of mass tourism. In 1838, Bellagio hosted
Emperor Ferdinand I Ferdinand I (10 March 1503 – 25 July 1564) was Holy Roman Emperor from 1556, King of Bohemia, Hungary, and Croatia from 1526, and Archduke of Austria from 1521 until his death in 1564.Milan Kruhek: Cetin, grad izbornog sabora Kraljevine Hrv ...
, Archduke Rainer, and Minister
Metternich Klemens Wenzel Nepomuk Lothar, Prince of Metternich-Winneburg zu Beilstein ( ; 15 May 1773 – 11 June 1859), known as Klemens von Metternich () or Prince Metternich, was a Germans, German statesman and diplomat in the service of the Austrian ...
, who arrived from
Varenna Varenna (Comasco, Lecchese: ) is a ''comune'' (municipality) on Lake Como in the Province of Lecco in the Italian region of Lombardy, located about north of Milan and about northwest of Lecco. Varenna was founded by local fishermen in AD 769 a ...
on the ''Lario'', the first steamboat on Lake Como, launched in 1826. Bellagio became a favored location for Lombard nobility, leading to villa and garden construction. Luxury shops opened, and tourists frequented the lakeshore promenade. Due to limited space, the old port was partially covered to create a larger square extending to the arcades.
Gustav Flaubert Gustave Flaubert ( , ; ; 12 December 1821 – 8 May 1880) was a French novelist. He has been considered the leading exponent of literary realism in his country and abroad. According to the literary theorist Kornelije Kvas, "in Flaubert, realis ...
visited Bellagio in 1845, noting in his travel diary:


Risorgimento and Kingdom of Italy

In 1859, during the
Second Italian War of Independence The Second Italian War of Independence, also called the Sardinian War, the Austro-Sardinian War, the Franco-Austrian War, or the Italian War of 1859 (Italian: ''Seconda guerra d'indipendenza italiana''; German: ''Sardinischer Krieg''; French: ...
, Garibaldi's
Hunters of the Alps The Hunters of the Alps () were a military corps created by Giuseppe Garibaldi in Cuneo on 20 February 1859 to help the regular Sardinian army to free the northern part of Italy in the Second Italian War of Independence. As their name suggest ...
defeated Austrian forces at San Fermo, entering Como and bringing the province under
Piedmontese Piedmontese ( ; autonym: or ; ) is a language spoken by some 2,000,000 people mostly in Piedmont, a region of Northwest Italy. Although considered by most linguists a separate language, in Italy it is often mistakenly regarded as an Italian ...
rule. Bellagio became part of the
Kingdom of Italy The Kingdom of Italy (, ) was a unitary state that existed from 17 March 1861, when Victor Emmanuel II of Kingdom of Sardinia, Sardinia was proclamation of the Kingdom of Italy, proclaimed King of Italy, until 10 June 1946, when the monarchy wa ...
under the
House of Savoy The House of Savoy (, ) is a royal house (formally a dynasty) of Franco-Italian origin that was established in 1003 in the historical region of Savoy, which was originally part of the Kingdom of Burgundy and now lies mostly within southeastern F ...
. Tourism became Bellagio's primary economic activity. The first hotel, now the Hotel Metropole, originated in 1825 from the Abbondio Genazzini hostelry, becoming the Hotel Genazzini. Other hotels soon followed, many still operating and often family-run: Hotel Firenze (opened 1852), and Grand Hotel Bellagio (now Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni, opened 1872). In 1888, the largest hotels (Genazzini, Grande Bretagne, and Grand Hotel Bellagio) adopted electric lighting, followed by many private residences. Bellagio became an international tourist destination, while maintaining its character and avoiding mass tourism.


20th and 21st centuries

During the
Italian Social Republic The Italian Social Republic (, ; RSI; , ), known prior to December 1943 as the National Republican State of Italy (; SNRI), but more popularly known as the Republic of Salò (, ), was a List of World War II puppet states#Germany, German puppe ...
(RSI) from 1943 to 1945, Bellagio was part of this German-backed puppet state.
Filippo Tommaso Marinetti Filippo Tommaso Emilio Marinetti (; 22 December 1876 – 2 December 1944) was an Italian poet, editor, art theorist and founder of the Futurist movement. He was associated with the utopian and Symbolist artistic and literary community Abbaye de ...
, founder of
Futurism Futurism ( ) was an Art movement, artistic and social movement that originated in Italy, and to a lesser extent in other countries, in the early 20th century. It emphasized dynamism, speed, technology, youth, violence, and objects such as the ...
and a supporter of
Benito Mussolini Benito Amilcare Andrea Mussolini (29 July 188328 April 1945) was an Italian politician and journalist who, upon assuming office as Prime Minister of Italy, Prime Minister, became the dictator of Fascist Italy from the March on Rome in 1922 un ...
, remained in the RSI as a propagandist until his death from a heart attack in Bellagio in December 1944.
Luchino Visconti Luchino Visconti di Modrone, Count of Lonate Pozzolo (; 2 November 1906 – 17 March 1976) was an Italian filmmaker, theatre and opera director, and screenwriter. He was one of the fathers of Italian neorealism, cinematic neorealism, but later ...
featured Bellagio in a scene in his film ''
Rocco and His Brothers ''Rocco and His Brothers'' () is a 1960 drama film directed by Luchino Visconti and starring Alain Delon, Annie Girardot, Renato Salvatori, Katina Paxinou, Roger Hanin, Paolo Stoppa, and Claudia Cardinale in one of her early roles. Set in 1 ...
'' (1960), set on the Europa Promenade. The scene, with the backdrop of older hotels, suggests a decline of past eras and the rise of mass tourism. In 2014, Bellagio merged with the neighboring municipality of
Civenna Civenna (, locally ''Sciuvenna'' ) is a ''frazione'' of the ''comune'' (municipality) of Bellagio in the Province of Como in the Italian region of Lombardy, located about north of Milan and about northeast of Como Como (, ; , or ; ) i ...
, retaining the name Bellagio for the unified entity.


Geography

Bellagio is located at the tip of the promontory dividing
Lake Como Lake Como ( , ) also known as Lario, is a lake of glacial origin in Lombardy, Italy. It has an area of , making it the third-largest lake in Italy, after Lake Garda and Lake Maggiore. At over deep, it is one of the deepest lakes in Europe. ...
into its two southern branches. The town center occupies the promontory's point, with other areas extending along the lake shores and up the hillsides. The landscape was shaped by
Pleistocene The Pleistocene ( ; referred to colloquially as the ''ice age, Ice Age'') is the geological epoch (geology), epoch that lasted from to 11,700 years ago, spanning the Earth's most recent period of repeated glaciations. Before a change was fin ...
glaciations from the
Valtellina Valtellina or the Valtelline (occasionally spelled as two words in English: Val Telline; (); or ; ; ) is a valley in the Lombardy region of northern Italy, bordering Switzerland. Today it is known for its ski centre, hot spring spas, bresa ...
and Valchiavenna valleys. Glaciers advanced as far south as Brianza at least four times. Only the highest peaks remained above the ice, including Mount St. Primo, which diverted glaciers into the two arms of the lake. Today, Bellagio enjoys a mild climate that supports lush vegetation. Winter daytime temperatures rarely fall below 6 to 7 °C (43 to 45 °F), while summer temperatures average 25 to 28 °C (77 to 82 °F), moderated by the afternoon ''breva'', a gentle lake breeze.


Tourism

Bellagio, often called the ''Pearl of Lake Como'', is renowned for its scenic beauty and historical significance as a tourist destination. Tourism is fundamental to Bellagio's economy, supporting numerous local businesses and contributing to the preservation of its cultural heritage. The town's allure, characterized by its colorful historic center, villas like Villa Serbelloni and Villa Melzi d'Eril, and charming neighborhoods, attracts visitors throughout the year, experiencing seasonal tourism with diverse activities from autumn food events to summer water sports. Bellagio's global recognition extends beyond Italy, most notably inspiring the name of the Bellagio Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. This luxury resort, themed after the Italian town and featuring iconic fountains reminiscent of Lake Como, exemplifies Bellagio's international cultural influence and its reputation as a symbol of timeless luxury and beauty.


Sights


Borgo

Bellagio's historic center, known as the ''Borgo'', is situated 350 meters (1,150 ft) southwest of the promontory's tip, between Villa Serbelloni and the Como arm of the lake. A park and marina occupy the promontory's furthest point. Three streets, Mazzini, Centrale, and Garibaldi, run parallel to the shore in ascending order. Seven medieval stone stairways ("salite") intersect these streets, climbing uphill. The Basilica of San Giacomo and the Torre delle Arti Bellagio, a medieval tower, are located in a piazza at the top of the Borgo.


Churches

* Basilica di San Giacomo, located in Piazza della Chiesa, is a Lombard-Romanesque church dating from 1075–1125. The bell tower incorporates earlier town defenses, while its upper section is from the 18th century. The interior features a 12th-century cross, a 1432 triptych by Foppa, and a 16th-century altarpiece. Bar Sport, across the piazza, occupies a former monastery. * Church of San Giorgio, adjacent to the town hall, was built between 1080 and 1120. It contains a statue and fresco of Our Lady of the Belt. The Genazzini Stairs pass under the bell tower to the public library. * Church of San Martino, in Visgnola. * Church of Sant'Antonio Abate, in Casate. * Church of San Carlo Borromeo, in Aureggio. * Church of San Biagio, in Pescallo. * Church of Sant'Andrea, in Guggiate.


Villas

Bellagio's promontory is lined with historic villas, each with extensive parks and gardens. Villa Serbelloni and Villa Melzi d'Eril are open to the public.


Villa Serbelloni

Villa Serbelloni is located on the hill behind the promontory, sheltered from winds, dominating Bellagio's historic center. Accessible from Via Garibaldi, it was originally built in the 15th century on the site of a 1375 castle. Rebuilt multiple times, it passed to Alessandro Serbelloni in 1788, who enhanced it with 17th- and 18th-century decorations and art. Only the gardens are currently open to visitors. Paths lead to the remains of a 16th-century Capuchin monastery and the Sfondrata residence, built by the Sfondrati family overlooking the Lecco branch of the lake. In contrast, the Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni, a neoclassical villa built in the 1850s for a Milanese aristocratic family, stands on the waterfront. It became the Grand Hotel Bellagio in 1873, retaining its original
Belle Époque The Belle Époque () or La Belle Époque () was a period of French and European history that began after the end of the Franco-Prussian War in 1871 and continued until the outbreak of World War I in 1914. Occurring during the era of the Fr ...
interiors.


Villa Melzi d'Eril

Villa Melzi d'Eril, overlooking the lake, was constructed between 1808 and 1815 by architect Giocondo Albertolli for Francesco Melzi d'Eril, Duke of Lodi, who served
Napoleon Napoleon Bonaparte (born Napoleone di Buonaparte; 15 August 1769 – 5 May 1821), later known by his regnal name Napoleon I, was a French general and statesman who rose to prominence during the French Revolution and led Military career ...
as vice-president of the
Italian Republic Italy, officially the Italian Republic, is a country in Southern Europe, Southern and Western Europe, Western Europe. It consists of Italian Peninsula, a peninsula that extends into the Mediterranean Sea, with the Alps on its northern land b ...
from 1802 and Chancellor of the
Kingdom of Italy The Kingdom of Italy (, ) was a unitary state that existed from 17 March 1861, when Victor Emmanuel II of Kingdom of Sardinia, Sardinia was proclamation of the Kingdom of Italy, proclaimed King of Italy, until 10 June 1946, when the monarchy wa ...
from 1805. Even after Melzi's political career ended, he continued to develop the villa and gardens, aiming for elegance comparable to the Royal Villa of
Monza Monza (, ; ; , locally ; ) is a city and ''comune'' (municipality) on the Lambro, River Lambro, a tributary of the Po (river), River Po, in the Lombardy region of Italy, about north-northeast of Milan. It is the capital of the province of Mo ...
and other Lake Como villas. Renowned artists of the time, including painters Appiani and Bossi, sculptors Canova and Comolli, and medalist Luigi Manfredini, contributed to its decoration and furnishings. Melzi's art collection rivaled that of Giovan Battista Sommariva (owner of
Villa Carlotta Villa Carlotta is a villa and botanical garden in Tremezzo on Lake Como in Northern Italy. Today the villa is a museum, whose collection includes works by sculptors such as Antonio Canova, Bertel Thorvaldsen, and Giovanni Migliara; painters such ...
), who sought to surpass Melzi's prestige through art patronage. Villa Melzi's English-style gardens extend along the lakefront, framing views towards the southern hills. Creating the gardens involved significant land reshaping and the construction of retaining walls. The gardens feature monuments, artifacts (including a Venetian gondola brought for Napoleon and Egyptian statues), exotic plants, mature trees, camellia hedges, azalea groves, and rhododendrons. The villa, chapel, and glasshouse form a neoclassical ensemble.


Sports


Rowing

Rowing is a prominent sport in Bellagio, based at the Bellagina Sporting Union. World rowing champions Enrico Gandola, Alberto Belgeri, Igor Pescialli, Franco Sancassani, and Daniele Gilardoni are Bellagio natives and began their careers with Bellagina.


Cycling

Bellagio is the starting point for the ascent to the Sanctuary of Madonna del Ghisallo, the patron saint of cyclists, a popular destination for cycling enthusiasts. The climb covers approximately 4 kilometers (2.5 mi) with a 500-meter (1,600 ft) vertical ascent, achievable by professional cyclists in around 20 minutes. Other climbs in the area include the ascent from Onno to Valbrona on the eastern shore and the Muro di Sormano on the western shore. These climbs are part of the Tris del Lario competition.


Trekking

Various trekking routes, ranging in difficulty, are available around Bellagio and the Larian Triangle. ''Bellagio Lifestyle'' provides information on major treks with maps and route descriptions.


Cuisine

The traditional dish of Bellagio is ''Tóch'', a polenta dish mixed with butter and cheese, eaten with a wooden spoon and accompanied by dried lake fish, cold stuffed chicken, or homemade salami. Red wine is typically shared from a communal jug. Desserts include ''miasca'', a cornflour and dried fruit cake; '' Pan meino'', made with white and yellow flour, eggs, butter, milk, and elderflowers; and ''paradèl'', a wafer made of white flour, milk, and sugar.


Transportation


Air

The closest airports to Bellagio are: *
Malpensa Airport Milan Malpensa Airport "Silvio Berlusconi" is an international airport in Ferno, in the Province of Varese, Lombardy, Italy. It is the largest airport in northern Italy, serving Lombardy, Piedmont, and Liguria, as well as the Swiss canton of Ti ...
(MXP),
Milan Milan ( , , ; ) is a city in northern Italy, regional capital of Lombardy, the largest city in Italy by urban area and the List of cities in Italy, second-most-populous city proper in Italy after Rome. The city proper has a population of nea ...
*
Linate Airport Milan Linate Airport is a city airport located in Milan, the second-largest city and largest urban area of Italy. It served 10.6 million passengers and recorded 118,060 aircraft movements in 2024, making it one of the busiest airports in Ital ...
(LIN),
Milan Milan ( , , ; ) is a city in northern Italy, regional capital of Lombardy, the largest city in Italy by urban area and the List of cities in Italy, second-most-populous city proper in Italy after Rome. The city proper has a population of nea ...
*
Orio al Serio International Airport Milan Bergamo Airport (), also formerly known as Orio al Serio International Airport, is the third-busiest international airport in Italy. The airport is also officially called Il Caravaggio International Airport after the Baroque painter Mic ...
(BGY),
Bergamo Bergamo ( , ; ) is a city in the Alps, alpine Lombardy region of northern Italy, approximately northeast of Milan, and about from the alpine lakes Lake Como, Como and Lake Iseo, Iseo and 70 km (43 mi) from Lake Garda, Garda and Lake ...
* Lugano Airport (LUG),
Lugano Lugano ( , , ; ) is a city and municipality within the Lugano District in the canton of Ticino, Switzerland. It is the largest city in both Ticino and the Italian-speaking region of southern Switzerland. Lugano has a population () of , and an u ...
,
Switzerland Switzerland, officially the Swiss Confederation, is a landlocked country located in west-central Europe. It is bordered by Italy to the south, France to the west, Germany to the north, and Austria and Liechtenstein to the east. Switzerland ...
Trains from these airports connect to lake hubs such as Como and
Lecco Lecco (, , ; ) is a city of approximately 47,000 inhabitants in Lombardy, Northern Italy, north of Milan. It lies at the end of the south-eastern branch of Lake Como (the branch is named ''Branch of Lecco'' / ''Ramo di Lecco''). The Bergamasqu ...
. Bus services frequently operate from these hubs to Bellagio and other lakeside towns. Bus service from Lugano is available to Menaggio, with ferry connections to Bellagio. Chartered seaplanes also land on Lake Como.


Rail

The nearest railway lines to Bellagio are: * Milan–Como (two lines, operated by Trenord) * Milan–Lecco (operated by Trenord) * Milan–
Asso Asso ( Valassinese ) is an Italian ''comune'' in the province of Como, in Lombardy, Italy. It has 3,524 citizens and an area of , with a density of . Main sights Significant historic buildings are: * the castle, built in the 12th century; nowada ...
(operated by Trenord) Information on train schedules is available from
Trenitalia Trenitalia Società per azioni, SpA is the primary train operator of Italy. A subsidiary of Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane, itself owned by the Italian government. It was established in 2000 following a European Union directive on the deregulati ...
or Trenord.


Water

Hydrofoil A hydrofoil is a lifting surface, or foil, that operates in water. They are similar in appearance and purpose to aerofoils used by aeroplanes. Boats that use hydrofoil technology are also simply termed hydrofoils. As a hydrofoil craft gains sp ...
services connect
Como Como (, ; , or ; ) is a city and (municipality) in Lombardy, Italy. It is the administrative capital of the Province of Como. Nestled at the southwestern branch of the picturesque Lake Como, the city is a renowned tourist destination, ce ...
and Bellagio, stopping at other Lake Como towns. Car ferries operate between
Varenna Varenna (Comasco, Lecchese: ) is a ''comune'' (municipality) on Lake Como in the Province of Lecco in the Italian region of Lombardy, located about north of Milan and about northwest of Lecco. Varenna was founded by local fishermen in AD 769 a ...
and Cadenabbia to Bellagio, providing shorter crossings of under 15 minutes. Further details are available from Gestione Governativa Navigazione Laghi. Ferries provide convenient access to Bellagio. Varenna is the closest train station to Bellagio, requiring a ferry connection.


Road

Bellagio is accessible by roads from
Como Como (, ; , or ; ) is a city and (municipality) in Lombardy, Italy. It is the administrative capital of the Province of Como. Nestled at the southwestern branch of the picturesque Lake Como, the city is a renowned tourist destination, ce ...
and
Lecco Lecco (, , ; ) is a city of approximately 47,000 inhabitants in Lombardy, Northern Italy, north of Milan. It lies at the end of the south-eastern branch of Lake Como (the branch is named ''Branch of Lecco'' / ''Ramo di Lecco''). The Bergamasqu ...
. The road from Como (''SP583'') is narrow and winding, and heavily congested during summer, potentially extending travel times to Bellagio by car to 90 minutes. Driving from
Como Como (, ; , or ; ) is a city and (municipality) in Lombardy, Italy. It is the administrative capital of the Province of Como. Nestled at the southwestern branch of the picturesque Lake Como, the city is a renowned tourist destination, ce ...
to Cadenabbia and taking the car ferry to Bellagio could be a faster alternative. Another option is to use the road on the eastern shore, from Lecco to
Varenna Varenna (Comasco, Lecchese: ) is a ''comune'' (municipality) on Lake Como in the Province of Lecco in the Italian region of Lombardy, located about north of Milan and about northwest of Lecco. Varenna was founded by local fishermen in AD 769 a ...
, then take a ferry. Public buses run daily from
Como Como (, ; , or ; ) is a city and (municipality) in Lombardy, Italy. It is the administrative capital of the Province of Como. Nestled at the southwestern branch of the picturesque Lake Como, the city is a renowned tourist destination, ce ...
to Bellagio, but they may be especially crowded during summer.


Twin towns

Bellagio is a founding member of the
Douzelage Douzelage is a town twinning association with one town from each of the member states of the European Union and the United Kingdom. Name The name is a portmanteau of the French words "douze" for twelve and "jumelage" for twinning and stands for t ...
, a town twinning association of 24 towns across the
European Union The European Union (EU) is a supranational union, supranational political union, political and economic union of Member state of the European Union, member states that are Geography of the European Union, located primarily in Europe. The u ...
, established in 1991. The Douzelage promotes regular events, including markets featuring products from member countries and festivals. Membership discussions are ongoing with Agros (
Cyprus Cyprus (), officially the Republic of Cyprus, is an island country in the eastern Mediterranean Sea. Situated in West Asia, its cultural identity and geopolitical orientation are overwhelmingly Southeast European. Cyprus is the List of isl ...
),
Å kofja Loka Å kofja Loka (; ) is a town in Slovenia. It is the economic, cultural, educational, and administrative center of the Municipality of Å kofja Loka in Upper Carniola. It has about 12,000 inhabitants. Geography Å kofja Loka lies at an elevation of ...
(
Slovenia Slovenia, officially the Republic of Slovenia, is a country in Central Europe. It borders Italy to the west, Austria to the north, Hungary to the northeast, Croatia to the south and southeast, and a short (46.6 km) coastline within the Adriati ...
), and
Tryavna Tryavna ( ) is a town in central Bulgaria, situated in the northern slopes of the Balkan range, on the Tryavna river valley, near Gabrovo. It is famous for its textile industry and typical National Revival architecture, featuring 140 cultural m ...
(
Bulgaria Bulgaria, officially the Republic of Bulgaria, is a country in Southeast Europe. It is situated on the eastern portion of the Balkans directly south of the Danube river and west of the Black Sea. Bulgaria is bordered by Greece and Turkey t ...
).


References


Further reading

* * The source of many historical details of Como, its lake and villas; as well as Bellagio. * *


External links

*
News and Events: Bellagio

Online survey of the artistic output of Lombardy, including Bellagio.



The website of the Hotel Metropole
with scholarly articles about the past and historic photos {{Authority control