Villa Melzi d'Eril, Neoclassical villa in Bellagio, Italy.
Villa Melzi d'Eril is a Neoclassical residence that stretches along the eastern shore of Lake Como at water level. The white facade with its symmetrical windows dominates the shoreline, and the building integrates carefully with the natural slope of the land.
Francesco Melzi d'Eril commissioned architect Giocondo Albertolli to build this summer residence in 1808. The construction took place during a time of significant political change in the region, reflecting the family's prominence.
The villa served as a gathering place for artists and intellectuals drawn to its lakeside setting. It reflects the taste of Milan's upper class in the 1800s for elegant summer homes away from the city.
Entrance is at the main gate where tickets are sold and directions provided. The paths through the gardens and to the museum are well maintained, though reaching all areas takes some time due to the villa's size and spread along the shore.
The garden contains a secluded oriental section featuring a Japanese pond filled with water lilies and surrounded by maple and cedar trees. This quiet area feels completely separated from the rest of the grounds and the wider world beyond.
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