Blevio

Blevio: The Enchanting Town of the Seven Cities

Gazing across the water at Cernobbio and Moltrasio from the eastern shore of Lake Como, Blevio is a hidden gem nestled between Como and Torno. This unique town is famously composed of seven historic hamlets, known as the "Seven Cities" (Sette Città): Girola, Mezzovico, Meggianico, Capovico, Cazzanore, Sorto, and Sopravilla. These settlements cascade down the slopes of Mount Boletto to the lake’s edge, with origins reaching back nearly 3,500 years to the Iron Age. The first official mention of the town appears in a 1084 document by Reginaldo, the Bishop of Como.

Grand Villas and Musical Legends

For centuries, Blevio has been a premier residential retreat, home to some of the most prestigious estates on the lake. The territory is dotted with architectural masterpieces, including:

• Villa Troubetzkoy (formerly Pozzi): A striking presence on the shoreline.
• Villa Mylius-Cademartori: A grand residence remodeled in 1843 by the renowned architect Balzaretto.
• Villa Calvi-Talbot: An elegant 18th-century manor steeped in history.
• Villa Roccabruna (Villa Ferranti): Once the home of the legendary opera singer Giuditta Pasta, this estate has been transformed into an exclusive luxury resort.

The connection between the soprano Giuditta Pasta and the composer Vincenzo Bellini is legendary. Inspired by his deep admiration for the singer, Bellini composed his masterpieces Norma and La Sonnambula specifically for her, cementing Blevio’s place in operatic history.

Natural Wonders and Sacred Art

Nature and spirituality meet along the trails of Blevio. Climbing from the hamlet of Mezzovico toward the Chapel of the Madonna, hikers will encounter the Pietra Nairola (Nairola Stone). This massive granite boulder, perched horizontally on a mountain ledge, is a prehistoric natural monument that continues to amaze visitors.

On the waterfront stands the Antica Chiesa dei Santi Gordiano ed Epimaco (Ancient Church of Saints Gordian and Epimachus), originally built in the 15th century and beautifully reconstructed in 1762. In the town center, the modern Parish Church (inaugurated in 1967 and designed by Carlo Lucini) preserves the community's artistic heritage, housing 17th-century paintings attributed to Nuvolone and precious works from the 16th-century Lombard school.