Traces of human presence around Bellagio date back to thePaleolithic period, approximately 30,000 years ago. Around the 7th to 5th centuries BC, acastellum (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, theInsubres, a Celtic tribe, are identified as the first inhabitants of the Bellagio area.[2] They occupied the western shore of Lake Como up to its central point. TheOrobii inhabited the northern arm of the lake and its eastern bank. The Insubres maintained their independence until the arrival of theGauls 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.[3] 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.
In 225 BC, the Romans began their expansion northward, leading to the occupation of Gallo-Insubrian territory. Roman forces under ConsulMarcus Claudius Marcellus defeated the Gallo-Insubres near Camerlata, taking control of Como and Lake Como's shores. During theSecond Punic War, the Insubres briefly allied withHannibal 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.[4][5]
Bellagio became a Roman garrison and a transit point for Roman armies heading toRaetia and theSplügen 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").[3]
Between 81 and 77 BC,Cornelius Scipio established a colony of 3,000 Latin settlers around Lake Como.Julius Caesar, 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.[5] 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 andPliny the Younger brought renown to Lake Como and Bellagio. Virgil mentioned "great Lario" in hisGeorgics. 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 regardinghis Bellagio villas.
In 9 AD, Roman legions, including soldiers from Bellagio's garrison, passed through Bellagio underPublius Quinctilius Varus on their way to Germany via the Splügen Pass. These legions were later annihilated in theBattle of the Teutoburg Forest.
Around 568, theLombards underAlboin invaded the Po Valley and settled in Lombardy, including the Alpine valleys and lake regions. Bellagio's fortress was also occupied. In 744, Lombard KingLiutprand resided there.
TheFranks underCharlemagne entered Piedmont and Lombardy, defeating the Lombards at the Battle of Pavia in 773. Lombard territory was divided intocounties, marking the beginning of feudalism. Bellagio became part of the County of Milan under Frankish rule.
In 834,Lothair I, grandson of Charlemagne, granted feudal lordship of Limonta and Civenna to the monks of Saint Ambrose of Milan, along withCampione d'Italia. 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.
TheOttonian dynasty 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, andGravedona, 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, underFrederick Barbarossa, 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 theLombard League, allying with Milan against Barbarossa and Como, and participated in theBattle of Legnano in 1176.
The promontory of Bellagio seen from the belvedere of the Sanctuary of San Martino atGriante on the Como arm of the lake. Villa Serbelloni is the white building on the hillside. Villa Melzi d'Eril is visible along the shore to the right.
Towards the end of the 13th century, Bellagio, previously aligned with theGhibellines, became part of the dominion of theHouse of Visconti and was incorporated into theDuchy of Milan.
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 ofFilippo Maria Visconti, Visconti power waned. TheGolden Ambrosian Republic briefly governed the area (1447–1450) until Milan surrendered toFrancesco Sforza, 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, underLudovico 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 ofFrancesco II Sforza, the last Sforza Duke of Milan, Lombardy and the Lake Como region came underSpanish rule for two centuries, the era depicted inAlessandro Manzoni's novelThe Betrothed. The Derta steps, connecting Guggiate and Suira, were built during Spanish rule.
In 1533,Francesco Sfondrati, 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 theCapuchins in 1614 on the peninsula, investing significantly in landscaping with cypress trees andsweet 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 AlessandroSerbelloni, becoming Serbelloni Sfondrati.
Bellagio in the late 19th century.The Via del Monastero, a typical Bellagio alleyway at the end of the 19th century
During the briefNapoleonic era, Bellagio's port gained military and strategic importance. A decision that significantly shaped Bellagio's future was Count Francesco Melzi d'Eril, Duke ofLodi and Vice President of theCisalpine Republic, 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.[citation needed] 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 theKingdom of Lombardy–Venetia.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 first visited in 1810, writing:
What can one say about Lake Maggiore, about the Borromean Islands, about Lake Como, unless it be that one pities those who are not madly in love with them ... the sky is pure, the air mild, and one recognises the land beloved of the gods, the happy land that neither barbarous invasions nor civil discords could deprive of its heaven-sent blessings.[6]
While staying at Villa Melzi, Stendhal wrote:
I isolate myself in a room on the second floor; there, I lift my gaze to the most beautiful view in the world, after the Gulf of Naples ...[7]
Franz Liszt and his mistressComtesse Marie d'Agoult spent four months in Bellagio in 1837, en route from Switzerland to Como and Milan.[8] In Bellagio, Liszt composed piano pieces that becameAlbum d'un voyageur (1835–38), inspired by the landscapes as seen through the eyes ofByron andSenancour.[9] 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.[10]
In 1838, Bellagio hostedEmperor Ferdinand I, ArchdukeRainer, and MinisterMetternich, who arrived fromVarenna on theLario, 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 visited Bellagio in 1845, noting in his travel diary:
One could live and die here. The outlook seems designed as a balm to the eyes. ... the horizon is lined with snow and the foreground alternates between the graceful and the rugged—a truly Shakespearean landscape, all the forces of nature are brought together, with an overwhelming sense of vastness.[11]
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 (nowGrand 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.
Luchino Visconti featured Bellagio in a scene in his filmRocco and His Brothers (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 ofCivenna, retaining the name Bellagio for the unified entity.[13]
A view over Bellagio looking along the Como arm of the lake.
Bellagio is located at the tip of the promontory dividingLake Como 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 byPleistocene glaciations from theValtellina and Valchiavenna valleys. Glaciers advanced as far south asBrianza 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 afternoonbreva, a gentle lake breeze.
Bellagio, often called thePearl 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 theBellagio 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.
Bellagio's historic center, known as theBorgo, 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.[3]
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.
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 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 originalBelle Époque interiors.
Villa Melzi: the Moorish Pavilion, furnished with neoclassical busts
Even after Melzi's political career ended, he continued to develop the villa and gardens, aiming for elegance comparable to the Royal Villa ofMonza and other Lake Como villas. Renowned artists of the time, including paintersAppiani andBossi, sculptorsCanova andComolli, and medalist Luigi Manfredini, contributed to its decoration and furnishings.[14] Melzi's art collection rivaled that of Giovan Battista Sommariva (owner ofVilla Carlotta), 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.
Bellagio is the starting point for the ascent to the Sanctuary ofMadonna 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 fromOnno toValbrona on the eastern shore and theMuro di Sormano on the western shore. These climbs are part of the Tris del Lario competition.[15]
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.[16]
The traditional dish of Bellagio isTóch, 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 includemiasca, a cornflour and dried fruit cake;Pan meino, made with white and yellow flour, eggs, butter, milk, and elderflowers; andparadèl, a wafer made of white flour, milk, and sugar.
Trains from these airports connect to lake hubs such as Como andLecco. Bus services frequently operate from these hubs to Bellagio and other lakeside towns.[17] Bus service from Lugano is available toMenaggio, with ferry connections to Bellagio. Chartered seaplanes also land on Lake Como.
Hydrofoil services connectComo and Bellagio, stopping at other Lake Como towns. Car ferries operate betweenVarenna andCadenabbia to Bellagio, providing shorter crossings of under 15 minutes. Further details are available from Gestione Governativa Navigazione Laghi.[19]
Ferries provide convenient access to Bellagio. Varenna is the closest train station to Bellagio, requiring a ferry connection.
Bellagio is accessible by roads fromComo andLecco. 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 fromComo toCadenabbia 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 toVarenna, then take a ferry.
Public buses run daily fromComo to Bellagio, but they may be especially crowded during summer.
Bellagio is a founding member of theDouzelage, a town twinning association of 24 towns across theEuropean Union, established in 1991. The Douzelage promotes regular events, including markets featuring products from member countries and festivals.[20][21] Membership discussions are ongoing withAgros (Cyprus),Škofja Loka (Slovenia), andTryavna (Bulgaria).
^Polybius, translated by Robin Waterfield (2010).The histories (Oxford World's Classics pbk. ed.). Oxford: Oxford University Press. pp. II, 17.ISBN978-0199534708.
^abcRatcliffe, Lucy; Teller, Matthew (2015).The Italian lakes. Rough Guides. pp. 211–2.ISBN9781409371434.
^Polybius, translated by Robin Waterfield (2010). "II and III".The histories (Oxford World's Classics pbk. ed.). Oxford: Oxford University Press.ISBN978-0199534708.
^abManco, Jean (2015).Blood of the Celts: the New Ancestral Story. London: Thames & Hudson. pp. 142–161.ISBN9780500051832.
^Quoted bySale, Richard (2006).Italian lakes (8th ed.). Ashbourne: Landmark. p. 7.ISBN184306216X.
^Walker, Alan (1987).Franz Liszt (Rev. ed.). Ithaca, N.Y.: Cornell University Press. pp. 245–6.ISBN9780801494215.
^Searle, Humphrey (1966).The music of Liszt (2d rev. ed.). New York: Dover Publications. p. 23.ISBN0486217000.
^Perényi, Eleanor (1975).Liszt. London: Weidenfeld and Nicolson. p. 172.ISBN0297769103. Letter quoted from Bory, Robert (1930)Une Retraite romantique en Suisse, Paris.
^Tombesi-Walton, Sylvia (2005).Time Out Milan (4th ed.). Time Out Guides. p. 211.ISBN9781846700590.
^Ialongo, Ernest -Filippo Tommaso Marinetti: The Artist and His Politics; Fairleigh Dickinson University Press, 2015;ISBN1611477565ISBN978-1611477566
^"Nuovi Comuni in Lombardia, da 22 diventano nove: ecco tutti i nomi".Il Giorno. 3 February 2014.
Paul the Deacon, tr. W.D. Foulke & ed. Edward Peters (1974).History of the Langobards. University of Pennsylvania.ISBN9780812210798.
Balbiani, Antonio (1877).Como, il suo lago, le sue valle e la sue ville. The source of many historical details of Como, its lake and villas; as well as Bellagio.