The best traffic-free bike rides around Gorgonzola

The Naviglio della Martesana, definitively completed in 1496 under the leadership of Ludovico il Moro, flows from Trezzo sull’Adda to Milan for a total length of 38 km. The route runs alongside the ancient Roman road (the current SS 11 padana superiore) which crossed the Adda with two branches: at Vaprio and at Cassano. Irrigation of the land located above the spring belt was for a long time the predominant use of the canal, so much so that initially navigation was limited to two days a week; concurrently with the improvement of the agricultural structure thanks to irrigation, a notable flourishing of stately villas occurred in the Baroque era, aimed at enjoying the convenience of water travel and controlling the owned lands.

The Naviglio della Martesana, definitively completed in 1496 under the guidance of Ludovico il Moro, flows from Trezzo sull’Adda to Milan for a total length of 38 km. The route runs alongside the ancient Roman road (the current SS 11 padana superiore) which crossed the Adda with two branches: at Vaprio and Cassano. Irrigation of the land located above the spring belt was for a long time the predominant use of the canal, so much so that initially navigation was limited to two days a week; concurrently with the improvement of the agricultural structure thanks to irrigation, a notable flourishing of stately villas occurred in the Baroque era, intended to enjoy the convenience of travel on water and to control owned lands.

The Naviglio della Martesana, initially known as Naviglio Piccolo, is one of the Milanese canals that connects Milan with the course of the Adda river through the municipalities of Martesana. Commissioned in the 15th century by Francesco Sforza, it was used for irrigating the countryside but also represented the ambitious project of connecting Milan with Lake Como and thus with the Alps and Ticino. The Naviglio della Martesana is a place rich in history and beauty, a heritage for everyone that, however, today is still little known and protected. Along the Naviglio runs a rather busy cycle path, which allows you to admire the landscape and cultural beauties, such as the rich flora, fauna, or the numerous historic villas, including the Renaissance Villa Melzi d’Eril in Vaprio d’Adda.

Completed in 1471, the Naviglio Martesana was a huge hydraulic work of its time. Used for the transport of things and people, on both banks there was the road that was used by horses pulling barges along this important waterway that connected the villages with Milan, the big city. Now the use of the canal as a transport route has fallen into disuse after the mass arrival of rubber-wheeled transport and the route has been transformed into a beautiful cycle path, it is on this route that the Martesana cycle path is described, 36 kilometers on its own protected route and almost not at all trafficked by motor vehicles.

A very characteristic, ancient bridge located on the Martesana; a photo is a must! I don't think it's called the "Bridge of Sighs," but it's very characteristic.

In Groppello d'Adda, along the Martesana Canal, there is a large waterwheel called "el rudun." It is not a mill, but a noria that was used to raise water for irrigation. It was built in 1618 at the behest of Cardinal Federico Borromeo. It was used to irrigate the vegetable gardens and gardens of the Archbishop's Villa. Tradition attributes the design to Leonardo da Vinci. The water also fed kitchens, washhouses, and livestock watering troughs. The original wheel was dismantled in the late 19th century. The current one is a 1989 reconstruction, restored several times. It has a diameter of 11 meters and eight large blades. Today, it is a historical and educational symbol that tells the story of the area's past.

Surroundings of Cassano d'Adda

The cycle path from Lago di Garlate along the Adda River is natural and therefore bumpy, but beautiful. An impressive hydroelectric power plant and a road/rail bridge near Paderno d'Adda showcase architecture from 100 years ago. This bridge is continuously monitored by a measuring system. You can see the monitoring as you cycle up to Paderno from the cycle path.