“Ever dream of a waterway that stretches farther than a marathon?” That is the Roggia Castellana. It is a large canal flowing through the province of Pavia.
The Roggia Castellana begins its journey at the Ticino River. This is near the Lanca Ayala in Vigevano. The Lanca Ayala is south of the Braghettona area. This area is one of the oldest in the Ticino Park. It was once a landing spot for gold seekers.
The area around Lanca Ayala was once used for quarrying. Now, after much work, the area has almost returned to its original beauty.
The Roggia Castellana flows through the protected Parco del Ticino. It winds through woods of willows, oaks, and black locust trees. It passes near Cascina dei Ronchi and Villa Nobiliare Ronchi. The canal continues to Molino d’Isella in Gambolò. Then it enters the lovely Villa Necchi.
Inside the villa’s park, the Roggia Castellana creates a wide pool. There is even a small landing. It passes through the Tenuta Portalupa. Then it heads towards Cascina Vignazza in Borgo San Siro. Here, it splits into two branches. One branch feeds the mill of Cascina. The other flows behind Cascina Vignazza. It rejoins the main course downstream.
From here, the Roggia Castellana flows towards the Bosco del Castagnolo. This is near Cascina Torricella. It reaches a large barrier. A side spillway diverts excess water to the Canale Scavizzolo. Past the floodgate, it flows quickly towards Tenuta Occhio di Parasacco in Zerbolò. It crosses the bridge near Cascina Comuna on the Borgo San Siro – Parasacco road.
After Tenuta Occhio, the Roggia Castellana reaches a floodgate. This feeds the Presa della Roggia Padulenta. It continues through fields near Parasacco. It runs along the SP185 road. It also passes Cascina Freddo and Cascina Guasta.
Near Zerbolò, the Roggia Castellana flows through rice fields. It heads towards Molino at Cascina Morgarolo. This is in Groppello Cairoli. It passes Cascina Ca’ Rossa in Zerbolò. Then it enters Groppello Cairoli.
At Villanova d’Ardenghi, the Roggia Castellana moves towards Cascina Caselle. This is in Zerbolò. It flows in front of the farmhouse. It heads towards Cascina dei Frati in Carbonara Ticino. Here, it joins the Roggia Padulenta. It goes under the SP3 road. Then it arrives at the Chiusa. The Roggia continues to Carbonara Ticino. It passes near Cascina Sabbione and Cascina Paradiso. These are in San Martino Siccomario.
Near Cascina Colombarolo, it goes under the SS596 road. It heads into San Martino Siccomario. It reaches Via Case Nuove. Here, it divides into two branches. The main branch goes towards the Bennet shopping center. It follows Via Madonna and keeps the name Castellana. The other branch is larger. It is called Castellanetta. It goes to Cascina Zerbi.
Now a small stream, it reaches Cascina Bargitta. From here, it becomes a canal. It irrigates farmland. This area stretches from the right bank of the Roggia Rotta. It goes from San Martino Siccomario to Boschi di Travacò. It ends at the foot of the Ticino and Po riverbanks.
The Cavo Castellana continues from Cascina Vignola towards Mezzano. It heads to Valbona. It crosses fields along the Navazzona road. It reaches the edge of Boschi di Travacò. Here, it ends. It empties the remaining water into a drainage canal.
The Roggia Castellana’s flow is about 20 cubic meters per second. This vital waterway shaped the landscape. It supported agriculture for centuries. Next time you see a field of rice, remember the Roggia Castellana. Its waters helped create that landscape.