Naviglio Grande, Canal in Navigli district, Milan, Italy
Naviglio Grande is a waterway that connects a river system to a historic dock in central Milan, dropping gradually over its length. The canal runs through urban and semi-rural areas, with pathways on both sides where people walk and spend time along the water.
Construction began in the late 1100s as an irrigation project and the waterway reached Milan's walls about a century later, gradually becoming a trade route. Over the following centuries, it played a key role in bringing goods into the city and shaped how the urban area developed.
The waterfront here hosts art galleries, traditional restaurants, and craft shops where locals and visitors gather to enjoy food and see contemporary works. The neighborhood carries a strong sense of community through these gathering spaces, which give the area its distinctive character.
The area is easy to reach by public transit, with tram lines serving several points along the waterway. Walking along the banks is the best way to explore the area, and it is accessible year-round for visitors.
In the 1800s, this waterway was a transport hub bustling with hundreds of boats daily delivering cargo such as grain and salt to the city. The volume of goods moved by water demonstrates how vital this system was to the region's trade and economic activity.
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