Beneath this very ground flows a secret. A secret that has shaped Milan for centuries. This, my friends, is the Cavo Redefossi. While you might not see a grand palace or a towering cathedral, the Cavo Redefossi holds a tale as fascinating as any landmark in Milan. Imagine this: It’s the 18th century, and Milan is battling the fury of the Seveso River. The bustling heart of the city, near Porta Romana, Porta Vittoria, and Porta Lodovica, faces constant flooding. The Austrian government, then in power, knew they had to act. Their solution? The Cavo Redefossi. This ingenious underground canal, constructed between 1783 and 1786, would act as a bypass, diverting the raging waters of the Seveso and its tributary, the Martesana. The Cavo Redefossi starts its journey near Porta Nuova, collecting the waters before they could wreak havoc. It then silently flows beneath us, mimicking the ancient path of the Seveso, until it joins the Lambro River in Melegnano, far from the city center. Over time, the Cavo Redefossi’s role evolved. With the city’s growth, it became a part of Milan’s sewage system in the 20th century. While this new purpose might not be as glamorous, it highlights the Cavo Redefossi’s constant presence in Milan’s story. So, as you stand here, remember the silent guardian beneath your feet. The Cavo Redefossi, a hidden marvel of engineering that has protected and served Milan for centuries.
Nuovo Cimitero di Cologno Monzese
“A timeless sanctuary,” the old woman whispered, her gaze fixed on the rows of marble within Nuovo Cimitero di Cologno