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National Geographic : 1913 Aug
Contents
THE NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC MAGAZINE view the Villa Serbelloni, a graceful structure located near the edge of the hill and built on several terraces. The luxuriant palm trees, with their yellow clusters of dates and green leaves, stretch out their graceful arms in all directions. Here a beautiful park is laid out, which is traversed by numerous shaded walks and grottoes, where one may rest in com fort, protected from the intense rays of the mid-day sun. A wonderful view is to be had of the several bodies of water stretching out below, while in the dis tance is discernible the cap of everlasting snow of the higher Swiss Alps. VILLA CARLOTTA There are many pleasant little excur sions in all directions from Bellagio, both by land and water. One of these inter esting little trips for the sojourner is to cross the lake to the Villa Carlotta, which is the property and summer home of the Duke of Saxe Meinigen. Here we have one of the most magnificent gardens it is possible to conceive. The coloring of the flowers that grow in every nook and cor ner are beyond all description, and should one unfamiliar with this country see these colors reproduced on canvas they would certainly be declared overdrawn. The predominating flower, however, is the azalea, which seems to bloom in almost every conceivable color. Near the garden is a beautiful wood, and as one walks through the dense semi tropical growth on all sides of the path attention is at once called to the quanti ties of orchids of many hues which may be seen clinging to the trees. From Bellagio it is but a few minutes by steamer to Menaggio, and on this trip we see for the last time the square-rigged sailing vessels and the peculiar charac teristics of the barcas, or boats which are made serviceable in all kinds of weather by spreading canvas over hickory arches fastened on either side to the bulwarks. Menaggio is a quaint little town, but the spirit of commercialism is rather more apparent than at other points (see page 950). Here we take a steam tram, which winds up the side of the mountain, and as one looks backward from the heights the silent town of Bellagio can be seen nestling at the base of the bold promontc:.y, with the white buildings of the Villa Serbelloni above. For a time the train follows the banks of a wild and rushing mountain torrent which flows into Lake Como, while later it descends on the brink of a great gorge containing a similar rushing stream, until Porlezza, on the shore of Lake Lugano, is reached. LAKE LUGANO This lake, being much smaller than Lake Como, is but sixteen miles long and two broad, differing very greatly from the latter in scenery, as we find the densely wooded mountains dipping pre cipitously into its waters, while a great sense of stern solitude seems everywhere to prevail. The deeply serrated tops of the snow-clad mountains seem to pro trude far into the sky, often delighting the eye with beautiful clouds hovering about their heads. A noted change in vegetation occurs the moment the Bay of Lugano is en tered: instead of the rough and rugged variety, it is of a rich and thriving na ture, vying with the neighboring lakes. First is noticed Lugano Paradiso nest ling at the foot of the slopes of Mount Salvatore; and a little farther on the town of Lugano itself, which is delight fully situated, enjoying a very equable climate, being mild in winter, yet avoid ing the excessive heat of the long, hot summers (see page 951). There are several things that make a halt here very enjoyable, both from a historic and scenic standpoint. Our very dwelling, the hotel, has figured promi nently in history of ages past, being a convent till suppressed in T848. The town is quite old, and among its other treasures is the Church of San Lorenzo, having a wonderful decorated marble facade in early Renaissance style, and the convent chapel of Santa Maria Degli Angeli, containing most beautiful fres coes by Luini. Afewhoursspentinatripbyacog railway to the top of Mount Salvatore repays one very well by the wonderful view, spreading out in all directions, and from its summit, on a clear day, many of the lakes of northern Italy may be seen, including those of Garda, Orta, and Varese. 946
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