NAVIGLIO GRANDE

Description

Essentials about the Naviglio Grande in brief

The Navigli (Canals), which run through Milan, are a special feature of the Lombard metropolis. The oldest and best known of the canals is the Naviglio Grande (Great Canal), which dates back to the 12th century. Used in the past as an important transport route, today the Naviglio Grande is popular among Milanese for its business and gastronomic scene, as well as its sports facilities.

The history of the Naviglio Grande

Milan’s history is closely linked to the Navigli, which are a water network running through the entire city area. Since Milan itself is not located on any major river, from the 12th century the city was connected by artificial waterways with the rivers of the hinterland, such as the Ticino, the Lambro, the Adda and the Po.

The Naviglio Grande is the oldest of Milan’s canals. It was built between 1177 and 1257 and draws its water from the Ticino River. With a length of over 50 kilometers, it once served as a transportation and connection route between Milan and Lago Maggiore (and thus Switzerland).

Without the Naviglio Grande, the construction of Milan Cathedral would have been almost unthinkable. The marble blocks needed for the cathedral were shipped across the canal in barges. With the advent of the railroad, the canals lost importance as transport routes. In the 1960s, transport traffic on the Naviglio Grande was therefore finally discontinued.

The Naviglio Grande today

On the banks of the Naviglio Grande once lived many workers and craftsmen. Even today, many old craftsmen’s houses remind us of times gone by. In the meantime, many art studios, original stores, cafés and restaurants have settled in the houses along the canal and the Naviglio Grande has become one of the most popular meeting places for the Milanese in the evenings.

In addition to the lively business and gastronomic scene, the Naviglio Grande is also very popular with sports enthusiasts. Kayakers are often out on the water and there is a bike path to the left and right of the canal to Gaggiano and Abbiategrasso just outside of Milan. In addition, the canal is also a popular jogging route.