Is it true that Leonardo Da Vinci designed a water wheel here? You are standing in Groppello d’Adda. It is a charming slice of Cassano d’Adda. Groppello d’Adda whispers tales of Milanese history. It has a population of just over 3000. Until 1862, it was simply known as Groppello.
Let’s journey back in time. We’ll explore Groppello d’Adda’s evolution. The village took shape between 1350 and 1500. This was thanks to the construction of the Bishop’s Palace. It was erected upon an ancient 11th-century fort.
Groppello d’Adda was recorded as a Milanese village in 1751. It had 360 residents. By 1771, the number rose to 410. In 1805, when the Kingdom of Italy was proclaimed, it still had 410 residents.
Napoleon decreed the suppression of Groppello’s municipal autonomy in 1809. It was annexed to Cassano. However, the Austrians reversed this upon their return. Groppello grew. By 1853, it had 784 residents. This increased to 924 in 1861. A royal decree by Vittorio Emanuele II in 1869 finalized its suppression. It revived the old Napoleonic model. Groppello was annexed to Cassano.
Groppello d’Adda boasts notable landmarks. These include religious and civil architectures. The Chapel of Sant’Antonio is a highlight. Its construction date is unknown. But it is almost certainly between 1632 and 1638. This is based on the interior frescoes. It is dedicated to Saint Anthony of Padua. The chapel measures about 8 by 5 meters. It features a small cubic sacristy. The interior has a single hall. It is divided lengthwise into three parts. The central section is slightly larger than the two side sections.
Giovanni Mauro della Rovere frescoed the interior. He signed his work under the painting of the miracle of bilocation. Saint Anthony appears in Padua and Lisbon. He defends his father from a murder charge. The chancellor in the painting may be a self-portrait of Fiamminghino. There are seven frescoes depicting scenes from Saint Anthony’s life. Above the altar is a depiction of Saint Anthony embracing the Baby Jesus.
The Archbishop’s Palace is another significant structure. Carlo Borromeo built it on a previous construction from 1018. It served as an archbishop’s residence until the early 20th century. Muttone rebuilt the palace’s refectory in the early 18th century. Carlo Giuseppe Merlo rebuilt it again between 1748 and 1755. The Opera Pia Tonolli later acquired it. In 1958, the parish of San Bartolomeo purchased it. For some years, it housed a kindergarten. Today, it awaits a new purpose.
Near the village center, on the right bank of the Naviglio Martesana, stands an impressive water wheel. It is popularly called “rudun”. Legend says Leonardo Da Vinci designed it. Despite appearances, it isn’t a mill. It’s a noria. Its purpose was to lift water from the canal. The water was channeled into an irrigation system. A partial restoration in the 1990s revived the water lifting system. The wheel operated for educational purposes until the early 2000s. Lack of maintenance caused deterioration. In 2008, it lay in ruins. A new restoration in 2009 removed the wheel. It was completely restored. On December 24 of that year, the wheel was put back into operation.
Groppello d’Adda offers a blend of history and art. It sits quietly outside bustling Milan. Its landmarks tell stories of faith and engineering. The water wheel stands as a testament to ingenuity. It is possibly touched by Leonardo’s genius.