Just a short walk from Bellagio  along the shore line of Lake Como is the Villa d'Eril and its amazing botanical gardens. Although the house is not opened to the public, it was Francesco Melzi d’Eril, count of Lodi and Vice president of the First Italian Republic during the reign of Napoleon, who decided at the beginning of the 19th century to build a summer residence at Bellagio.

The villa was built between 1808 and 1810; Count Melzi’s taste for the neo-classical style came from Napoleonic France and inspired his choice of architect Giocondo Albertolli. The white columns that flank the landing stage in front of the villa, and the regularity of the windows enhance the classical style of the house, especially when viewed from the lake.

The grounds were designed by Luigi Canonica and Luigi Villoresi.

Under the trees, along the shore and at the intersections of the paths, are Egyptian sculptures and Roman statues which add to the romantic atmosphere of the garden. According to the taste of the period lots of exotic trees were planted. Fascinating is the Japanese pond with water lilies, surrounded by Japanese maple trees and cedar trees. In April and May the gardens are awash with colour from the azaleas and rhododendrons.