Lago di Como

Bellagio

There aren't that many photos Kurt Hielscher made around Lake Como that are really interesting to rephotograph. This one was a must for me though, especially because Kim decided to stay at a campsite pretty nearby. Things turned out a little different. The day before arrival we stayed at a parking lot in the city of Como. During the night heavy thunderstorms ravaged the surroundings. Close to our destination, the charming campsite La Fornace, landslides blocked the roads around the lake, also the road to Bellagio. Fortunately, the road to the campsite was open and we decided to just relax here for a few days. Later more from Bellagio, Varenna and Como.

A few days later I checked the road by bike and went to Bellagio, or better said the southwestern end of Bellagio to the Chiesa Santa Maria di Loppia that finds its origins in the 10th century AD. Today it is situated in the private park of the Villa Gerli and can't be visited, but you can walk downhill next to it via the "Scalinata per accedere a Villa Giulia" to the lake.

The day after, we visited Bellagio and Varenna and at the end of the day we went for a swim at the stunning Spiaggia Pubblica di Bellagio and on our way back we passed the Chiesa Santa Maria di Loppia again, but this time from the other side.

View on the church and the stairs from the beach.

Kurt Hielscher made his photo from the Villa Melzi, which we didn't visit in the summer of 2024, which is a pity, because Kurt Hielscher also made another photo from here (see below) and we just passed by. It is also understandable, because we only had one day and instead we chose to take the ferry to Varenna at the other side of the lake. Varenna turned out a real gem and did not disappoint, but later more about that.

Another view on Lake Como from Villa Melzi. This photo is published by Kurt Hielscher in his 1939 edition of his Italy photoalbum. 

A glimpse of Villa Melzi from behind the fence when we passed on our way to the beach. It is not hard to recognize Kurt Hielscher's photo here, is it?

Villa Melzi as seen from the beach where we went for a swim: Spiaggia Pubblica di Bellagio.

Twop more from Kurt Hielscher's 1925 edition with nearly the same view.

Kim exploring Lake Como by bike.

Swimming at Bellagio Beach with Bellagio and Varenna in the distance.

View on Lake Como from Camping La Fornace.

Chilling and doing the laundry at Camping La Fornace.

Dinner time at Camping La Fornace in the summer of 2024.

Dinner time at Lake Como in the city of Como, 29th of December 2024.

The sun disappearing behind the mountains surrounding Lake Como, December 2024.

Christmasprojections in Como, 29th of December 2024.

Below: Stand-up paddling from Camping La Fornace.