Bellagio is a charming little town in the province of Como. It welcomes tourists in its wonderful square full of flowers in front of the lake. Mountains seem to embrace the lake like a majestic background.

Bellagio is a triangle shaped promontory seen from the top of Mount S. Primo, in the Triangolo Lariano. The location is in the middle of the confluence of two branches of Lake Como, in front of it landscape of Alpes.

Ancient inhabitants of Bellagio were the Insubri who were ousted by Gauls, with their commander, Belloveso, in the 600 b.C. the name Bellagio comes from Belloveso, Bellasium.

Romans, during their big conquests, conquered also Bellagio, they defeated the Gauls in Camerlata battle. From then on Bellagio became a crossing point and wintering for roman army who crossed Spluga. The point was Villa Serbelloni current location , because it is sheltered from north wind.

During the period of Gallia Cisalpina the governor Gaio Giulio Cesare had let come many Greek colons who settled on the territory around the lake. The names of lots of small towns in this location come from that ancient population. Bellagio was also a protected area of military ships, particularly the town Loppia.

Crops of olive, laurel, chestnut e cypress attest the roman settlement.

Virgilio wrote of Bellagio and the lake in his works, Book of Georgiche, verse 155.

During the centuries the location was conquered by different populations and obtained their characteristics.

In 1508, during the period of Ludovico il Moro dukedom, Bellagio feud was taken from the Bishop of Como lordship and given to Stanga marquis.

Noble Villas in Bellagio are Villa Serbelloni (property of Rockfeller foundation in New York) and Villa Melzi d’Eril.

   Villa Melzi d'Eril (picture by Marcus90 available on Wikipedia)

   Pescallo village

   Flouers in Bellagio

   Promontory (picture by Raminus Falcon available on Wikipedia)

It's a pleasent cycling even though the distance. From Como to Bellagio the street go up and dowin aside the lake. Stop in Bellagio is required, not only for a rest. Then we go on towards Erba - Lecco. We cycle up to major street no 41, we turn to Onno and leading to Valbrona then to Erba direction.

Cabiate - Como - Bellagio - Onno - Valbrona - Cabiate

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