Bellagio I, Lake Como, Lombardy, Italy

Bellagio, also known as "the pearl of Lake Como", is a town located on Lake Como in Lombardy, Italy. It is well known for its location on the intersection of the three branches of the Y-shaped lake - with Bellagio located on the tip of the peninsula which separates the lake's two southern arms.

There is evidence which suggests that there was a human presence in Bellagio and surrounding areas in the Paleolithic Period (about 30,000 years ago), in the 7th to 5th centuries BC there was a place of worship and trade for the many small villages along the side of the lake.

During Roman times, Lake Como took on an important role. Olive trees and the laurel were introduced to the area by the Romans, which are still found in abundance on the shores of Lake Como.


The Romans were responsible for the town's development as a holiday resort which has continued to this day. In letters by Pliny the Younger (c61AD - 112AD), he describes the time he spent in his Bellagio villa where he enjoyed the pleasures of hunting and fishing.

Bellagio I, Lake Como, Lombardy, Italy by OldeWorldGifts

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Vintage photomechanical print of Bellagio on Lake Como, Lombardy, Italy, which was taken at the end of the 19th century. Photograph courtesy of LOC (LC-DIG-ppmsc-06439). Visit OldeWorldGifts to see the range of products featuring this beautiful vintage photochrom.

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This week OldeWorldGifts has been searching through the beautiful old photochrom prints for Italy and has started adding some of these images to the store.

The first additions have been from the region of Campania and have included the Island of Capri, Naples and Pompeii. There are some amazing pictures in this selection, such as the Blue Grotto on the Island of Capri,the harbour at Naples and Street of the Tombs in Pompeii.

The latest additions have been from the region of Liguria and more specifically from Sanremo in the Italian Riviera, such as the Chapel St Ampeglio, Sanremo Promenade and Sanremo Harbour.

New images are being added daily, with the focus this week on the beautiful Italian towns and cities. Visit OldeWorldGifts to see the full range of products featuring an extensive selection of vintage images from around the world.