Lake Como Cruise & Bellagio

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Day 3 - Optional Excursion - Lake Como Cruise & Bellagio


Bellagio 
Many of us have signed up for the Lake Como & Bellagio Excursion on Day 3.  
Not only will we get to see more of the lake, but we will also get to stroll around Bellagio, 
 "The Pearl of Lake Como". 


Remember Rick Steves' "striding man" description from a previous post where the top of the 2 legs meet? That's Bellagio, and we can see it on that map, this aerial view, and on a map on a wall in Bellagio - which, to me, looks like an alligator skimming the water.


  Bellagio has always been famous for its location. It sits at the northern point of the Larian Triangle landmass, looking across the northern arm of the lake, and beyond it to the Alps.  
 Bellagio's city center is at the tip of the promontory while its other sections and suburbs spread up the mountain behind it, all the way up to Mt. San Primo - 1,686m above sea level. 

  "The Borgo" is the historic village.  One of the first areas to be inhabited, it is characterized by seven medieval stone stairs running parallel uphill, lined with century-old buildings, cafes, gelato stands, and picturesque shops showcasing the finest Italian wares.  If you make it to the piazza at the top of the stairs you will find a basilica and a stone tower.

Bellagio's landmark church, high on the hillside in Piazza della Chiesa, is the Romanesque Basilica di Giacomo (St James). The stone facade is unadorned, but the bell tower, framed by the mountains, is visible from the surrounding area.

The church was built in the 12th century in spare Romanesque style with three narrow naves and a triple curved stone apse.  It was renovated during the Baroque period, but without the usual excesses of that style, so it retains a restrained atmosphere overall. There is a mix of artwork by the Umbrian and Lombard schools, Romanesque sculptures and some lovely paintings. The marble pulpit is held aloft by four marble columns, representing the four evangelists.



While in Bellagio...   try TOCH, one of their traditional dishes.  Tóch is a type of polenta dish made with butter and cheese. It can be served with dried fish, cold chicken or salami.  It is usually eaten with everyone gathered around the copper pot in which it was cooked - each guest using his own wooden spoon. 










If you are looking for a special souvenir from Lake Como, consider a silk scarf from one of Bellagio's boutiques.  In 1400, a duke of Milan planted mulberry trees around Lake Como.  That began what became a world famous silk industry.  In fact, in 1972 Lake Como's production of the finest silk exceeded that of China and Japan.

For more of beautiful Bellagio
https://youtu.be/xpFjN0ApVrw

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