Naviglio Martesana

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The Naviglio Martesana was a navigable canal that runs from Milan, Italy to the Adda river; also known as Naviglio Piccolo, it is part of the system of navigli of the Milan area. Approximately 38 kilometres long, with a substantial section covered over or infilled, its width varies between 9 and 18 metres, while the depth is between one and three metres.

Originally named Naviglio Piccolo, it subsequently changed to Martesana from the name of the county across which it runs.

Along the way it crosses the boundaries of the villages of Trezzo sull'Adda, Vaprio d'Adda, Cassano d'Adda, Inzago, Bellinzago Lombardo, Gessate, Gorgonzola, Bussero, Cassina de' Pecchi, Cernusco sul Naviglio and Vimodrone. The canal enters Milan alongside Via Padova until Cassina de' Pomm: at the junction with Via Melchiorre Gioia it disappears underground following the route of Via Melchiorre Gioia itself southwards. In the past it would have passed through the Fossa dell'Incoronata and the Laghetto di San Marco to connect with the Fossa Interna (or Inner Ring). Today, after merging with the Seveso River, the underground course becomes the Cavo Redefossi in the vicinity of Porta Nuova, runs under the cerchia dei bastioni to Porta Romana, follows Corso Lodi and Via Emilia, finally ending up in the River Lambro.

Its construction began in 1457 and it was inaugurated in 1465 by Bianca Maria Sforza.

It's a popular recreational area, famed for its tranquil and traffic free cycling paths.

[edit] Bibliography

No known publications in English.

For an Italian bibliography see the on Wikipedia Italy . http://navigliogrande.mi.it http://naviglilive.it