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Villa Melzi
Villa Melzi
Francesco Melzi d’Eril (1753-1816), a Milanese politician highly esteemed by Napoleon Bonaparte, who wanted him as vice president of the Cisalpine Republic and then Duke of Lodi, was a man of broad views even in landscape choices.
His decision to acquire part of the Bellagio lakefront in 1805 and transform it into an airy English garden, to beautify his summer residence, was brilliant. The design of the villa was entrusted to the architect Giocondo Albertolli and that of the garden to two experts who had already given their best at the Royal Villa of Monza: the architect Luigi Canonica and the surveyor Luigi Villoresi.
In a few years, the villa and garden were completed to the satisfaction of the duke and his nephew Giovanni Francesco, heir and continuer of the work. Entering from the Bellagio side, you are immersed in an atmosphere close to that of the time of creation, a perfect fusion between the rigor of the neoclassical style, which informs the architectural structures (villa, orangery, and Melzi chapel), and the botanical richness of romantic exoticism. Beyond the gate, you encounter a delightful Japanese garden, with 25 specimens of Acer palmatum, reflected in a pond next to shade plants. This area was set up in the last century, when the complex was inherited by the Gallarati Scotti dukes, who still take great care of it today.
An avenue of plane trees flanks the lakeshore. The garden is full of surprises of all kinds: marble groups of great value (Dante and Beatrice by G.B. Comolli), a charming Moorish-style kiosk, and statues from various eras. In the rich botanical heritage, among masses of azaleas, rhododendrons, and camellias, two rare pines stand out: a Pinus montezumae (in memory of the specimen brought here by Maximilian of Habsburg) and a Pinus michoacana, also Mexican.
A Milanese politician esteemed by Napoleon Bonaparte, who first appointed him Vice President of the Italian Republic and later Duke of Lodi, Francesco Melzi d’Eril (1753- 1816) was an open-minded man, also when it came to landscape gardening.
His decision to buy the lakefront of Bellagio in 1805 and to transform it into an English-style garden to enhance his summer residence, was a stroke of genius. The design of the villa was entrusted to the architect Giocondo Albertolli and that of the garden to the architect Luigi Canonica and the agronomist Luigi Villoresi, who had already done some of their finest work at the Royal Palace in Monza.
In a few years, the villa and gardens were completed to the satisfaction of the Duke and his nephew Giovanni Francesco who would inherit the property and continue the work. Entering from the Bellagio side, visitors are immersed in the perfect harmony between the rigorous Neoclassical style that informs the architectural elements, (the villa, the orangery, the Melzi Chapel) and the lush plant life typical of Romantic exoticism. Just inside the gate there is a Japanese garden with 25 Acer palmatum planted on the edge of a pond, alongside plants that like shade. This area was laid out in the last century when the complex was inherited by the Dukes Gallarati Scotti, who still devote themselves to its upkeep today.
A long avenue of plane trees runs parallel to the lake shore. In the garden there are sculptural groups, such as Dante and Beatrice by G.B. Comolli, a gazebo in the Moorish style, and statues from various periods. The rich botanical heritage includes azaleas, rhododendrons, camelias and two rare Mexican pines: a Pinus montezumae and a Pinus michoacana.
Info www.giardinidivillamelzi.it
Villa Melzi d’Eril
Lungolario Manzoni 22021 Bellagio Entrance from Bellagio or Loppia
Tel. 339 4573838
Email info@giardinidivillamelzi.it
Excerpt from “I GIRADINI”, Grandi Giardini Italiani (www.grandigiardini.it) – CCIAA Como, Province of Como. The entire guide can be consulted at http://www.co.camcom.it/guideturismo
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