Bellagio
Discovering Bellagio
Hello everyone! Today we're talking about Bellagio, a charming town in the province of Como in Lombardy. With its 3,628 inhabitants, it belongs to the Triangolo Lariano mountain community and represents one of the ideal vertices of the Larian Triangle.
Physical geography
The territory of Bellagio is very vast and also includes hilly and mountainous areas. The highest point is Monte San Primo, which rises up to an altitude of 1,682 meters above sea level. Among the waterways, the main one is the Perlo stream, which originates at the foot of Monte San Primo and runs through the entire length of the Perlo Valley, flowing into the lake near the hamlet of Guggiate.
Origins of the name
The toponym Bellagio, known in the local dialect as "Belaas", was mentioned in medieval documents with different names like "Belagio" (835), "Bellaxio" (880), "Belasio" (882;885), "Beslacio" (884), "Bislacio" (905;1009), "Bilacus" (941), "Belacius" (995) and "Belaxium" (1162). There are several theories about the origin of the name, but the most accredited ones refer to the town's location between two branches of Lake Como, or to "an altitude surrounded by water."
History
Insubri and Gauls
Bellagio has a very ancient history. The first inhabitants of the territory were the Insubri, a people who lived in the northern part of Italy. Later, around 600 BC, the Gauls arrived, led by Belloveso, who conquered the territory and settled in Milan and Como. In Bellagio, they founded a stronghold called "Bellasium" in honor of their leader.
From the Romans to the Napoleonic Wars
After the conquest by the Gauls, Bellagio was ruled by the Romans and then by the Lombards. During the Early Middle Ages, the territory suffered numerous invasions by barbarian peoples, and it was only with the domination of the Franks in the 10th century that the situation stabilized. Between the 13th and 15th centuries, Bellagio came under the control of the Visconti and Sforza families of Milan, suffering several sieges and plundering. In 1797, with the fall of the Republic of Venice, the territory was annexed to the Cisalpine Republic, while during the Napoleonic Wars, it underwent various French and Austrian occupations.
The 19th and 20th centuries
With the Restoration, Bellagio returned under Austrian control until the end of World War I. In the 20th century, Bellagio became increasingly a tourist destination, thanks to the beauty of its location on Lake Como and the numerous villas and gardens that surround it.
What to see in Bellagio
Bellagio is a very famous tourist destination, especially for its location on Lake Como and the numerous villas and gardens that surround it. Among the main attractions, we mention the Garden of Villa Melzi, the Park of Villa Serbelloni, the Church of San Giacomo, and the Tower of Arts. Bellagio is also known for its cuisine, characterized by dishes made with lake fish and typical local products.
How to reach Bellagio
To reach Bellagio, you can take the State Road 583 or use the ferry service that connects the town to other locations on Lake Como. Furthermore, Bellagio is easily reachable from the nearby city of Como.
In short, if you want to spend a day in a charming place, Bellagio is definitely the right destination!
