LAKE COMO

Then the boat lands at Bellagio, at the top of the "Larian triangle", on the promontory that divides the Como branch from that of Lecco. Both the historic center situated at a higher level dominated by the Romanesque Basilica Of San Giacomo (enlarged in the Baroque Age) and the more recent arcade lake-front are all preserved intact. Among the aristocratic villas let's remember Villa Serbelloni, first castle, then country residence and transformed into villa at the end of the 15th century. Later once again restructured in the 17th and turned into a hotel during the last decade of the 19th century, it is presently appointed headquarters of conventions and study tours. The park - the lake's largest- extends all over the entire promontory to the small town's mount with a splendid view onto the two branches of the Lake. Viewing the lake is the Neo-classical Villa Melzi, from the extremely sober and elegant forms, realized between the 1808 and 1810 and based on Giacomo Albertelli's project for the Count Francesco Melzi, vice-president and Chancellor of the Kingdom of Italy. Described by Stendhal, this noble residence as well had among its guests famous personalities: from the Emperors Francesco I and Ferdinand of Austria to the musician Liszt. Worthy of mention as well, Villa Trivulzio, built in the 18th century and restored a century later with its grand English-style park, and Villa Trotti, in its neo-Gothic remake with Moorish decorations and with rarities that enrich the park.