Naviglio della Martesana, Canal system in Lombardy, Italy
Naviglio della Martesana is a canal system in Lombardy that runs from Trezzo sull'Adda to Milan. The waterway has varying widths and depths along its course, passing through towns and countryside on its way to the city.
Construction of the canal began in 1457 after the Duke of Milan approved the project and opened on January 1, 1465. It was created during a period when powerful Milan rulers sought to bring water to their city and surrounding agricultural lands.
The waterway passes by many villas built during the Baroque period as summer homes for wealthy Milan families. Walking along its banks today, you can see how these residences reflected the importance of water access for the upper classes.
A dedicated cycling path runs alongside the canal, connecting towns from Trezzo sull'Adda all the way to central Milan. You can easily explore the entire route on foot or by bike, making it simple to see different sections at your own pace.
The canal system feeds numerous smaller channels that irrigate the surrounding farmland, creating a visible difference between the drier northern areas and the greener irrigated zones to the south. This network transformed the agricultural landscape over centuries.
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