Thirty-eight kilometers of tranquil waters. That’s the Naviglio Martesana. A ribbon of history weaving through the heart of Lombardy.
Here we stand before the Naviglio Martesana a waterway steeped in centuries of stories. It wasn’t always called Martesana. Initially known as the Naviglio Piccolo or Little Canal it earned its current name from the Martesana County. This area existed during the late Roman era. The canal runs for a considerable distance. Much of it is now covered or filled in. Its width varies from 9 to 18 meters. Its depth ranges from one to three meters.
The Naviglio Martesana’s story begins in 1443. Filippo Maria Visconti Duke of Milan approved an ambitious project. A group of Milanese citizens spearheaded this effort. Catellano Cotta the duke’s salt monopoly administrator was among the leaders. Their goal was to divert the Adda River. This would create a canal for irrigation and power 16 mill wheels. The plan included a water intake below Trezzo sull’Adda’s castle. The natural river narrowing would ensure constant water flow.
Political unrest delayed construction until 1457. Francesco Sforza’s edict signaled the start of design work. He recognized the canal’s military and economic potential. He broadened the project to connect Milan to the Adda and Ticino Rivers. Bertola de Nova a skilled engineer oversaw construction. Bianca Maria Sforza inaugurated the finished canal in 1465.
Leonardo da Vinci a frequent guest at the Sforza court may have contributed to the canal’s design. While his direct involvement remains uncertain his sketches show the Martesana as a completed work. Later drawings and notes detail the San Marco basin’s construction methods. In 1516 Francesco I commissioned Leonardo to design a direct link between Milan and the Adda. Leonardo proposed two innovative solutions. One involved a new canal. The other was a bold scheme of counterweighted canals wells and locks in rock tunnels. The dream of directly connecting Milan to Lake Como took centuries to realize.
Today the Naviglio Martesana is a popular recreational area. Its peaceful cycling paths are a favorite among locals and visitors alike. Imagine the barges once gliding along these waters transporting goods and connecting Milan to the wider world. The whispers of history linger in the gentle flow of the water. The legacy of the Naviglio Martesana lives on in the vibrant tapestry of Milan.