Navigli

History, genius and glamour on the Lombard canals: Grande, Pavese, Martesana, Bereguardo and Paderno for city breaks and nature through the oldest artificial canals in Europe

CANALS
5
AREA
1800 sq.m
LENGTH
162 km
POPULATION
2,5 mln
PARKS
3

Illustrious figures have helped to write its history, including the Sforzas and Viscontis, Leonardo da Vinci, Marie Therese of Austria and Napoleon, thanks to which today we inherit a magnificent cultural heritage. 

Built from the 12th century onwards, they made it possible to link Milan with Lake Maggiore (by means of the River Ticino), Lake Como (through the River Adda) and the city of Pavia and River Po. They were major waterways for the purposes of transport and irrigation of the fields. A valuable heritage developed along these canals over the centuries with the summer residences of the nobility, mills, castles, abbeys, and rural and natural landscapes of exceptional beauty.

The Navigli System covers the area between the rivers Ticino and Adda, a total area of about 1,800 km2 with about 162 km of canals and 2.5 million inhabitants.
The environmental significance of the area is evident from the presence of 3 Natural Reserves (Parco Lombardo della Valle del Ticino; Parco Agricolo Sud Milano; Parco Adda Nord).

Art, sport, music and shows have been bywords of the Navigli for some years now: water is culture, fun, a meeting place. The canals, today as in the past, are the lifeblood of the city and its hinterland. And they also come to life thanks to the activities Navigli Lombardi organises along the banks of the Navigli. An event for every season and with it, an occasion to meet up on the Navigli.
 

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  1. Experiences in Lombardy
  2. Navigli

Places

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Naviglio Grande

The Naviglio Grande is the first of the canals that make up the Milan canal system, the oldest and the most important.
  • Navigli
Naviglio Grande

Darsena di Milano

As well as being the city’s port, in the past the Darsena was also a highly important water junction.
  • Navigli
Darsena

Vicolo dei Lavandai

The Vicolo dei Lavandai is an enchanting place where, with a bit of imagination, you can step back in time.
  • Art & Culture
Vicolo dei Lavandai

Naviglio Martesana

Also called 'Naviglio Piccolo', it is the canal that connects Milan with the river Adda
  • Navigli
Naviglio Martesana

Naviglio Pavese

The Naviglio Pavese was a dream come true, the dream that had lasted five centuries of a direct link between Pavia and Milan.
  • Navigli
Naviglio_Pavese

Naviglio di Bereguardo

It begins at the Naviglio Grande, at Castelletto di Abbiategrasso, and reaches the River Ticino at the Bereguardo bridge.
  • Navigli
Naviglio_di_Bereguardo

Abbey of Morimondo

The Abbey of Morimondo, along with its monastery, is a place of worship and Cistercian spirituality, but also a tourist attraction
  • Religious Tourism
Abbey of Morimondo

Certosa di Pavia

The Certosa di Pavia, a monastery built by Gian Galeazzo Visconti as a family chapel, is connected to the castle by the Visconteo Park.
  • Religious Tourism
@inlombardia_ Certosa di Pavia

Ponte Coperto Bridge

  • Art & Culture
Ponte coperto di Pavia (Ph: I Mille)

Naviglio di Paderno

It was a product of the genius of Leonardo da Vinci who in the early 16th century was a guest of Count Melzi in Vaprio d'Adda.
  • Navigli
Naviglio di Paderno

Park of the Ticino Valley

The park covers about 92,000 hectares from Lake Maggiore to the confluence with the River Po
  • Parks
Park of the Ticino Valley

Park North Adda

  • Parks
Park North Adda

Navigli District

  • Lifestyle
Navigli District

Bridge of Paderno d'Adda

Also known as the Rothlisberger Bridge it is a rail-road traffic and connects Paderno and Calusco through the Adda River
  • Art & Culture
Bridge of Paderno d'Adda

Visconti Castle

At the start of the 20th century, Visconti Castle(PV) was acquired by the local municipality and has since been home to the civic museums
  • Tourism Accessible
Visconti Castle

Crespi d'Adda Workers Village

  • Unesco Sites
Crespi d'Adda Workers Village

Villa Alari Visconti

Villa Alari is a sumptuous Rococo-style villa that was built in the 18th century in Cernusco sul Naviglio.
  • Art & Culture
Villa Alari Visconti

Villa Clerici

Villa Clerici was one of the most luxurious villas on the Canal and in the entire Milan area.
  • Art & Culture
Villa Clerici

Villa Gaia Gandini

Villa Gaia is one of the oldest buildings on the Navigli and was one of the first villas in Lombardy.
  • Art & Culture
Villa Gaia Galdini

Villa Melzi d'Eril

Villa Melzi is a residential villa belonging to the Melzi family that looks out onto the River Adda
  • Art & Culture
Villa Melzi D'Eril

Church of San Giorgio

The Church of San Giorgio, also known as La Canonica, dates to 1186.
  • Art & Culture
Chiesa di San Giorgio (la Canonica)

Chiesa San Cristoforo

San Cristoforo is an evocative complex consisting of two little churches.
  • Art & Culture
Chiesa San Cristoforo

Conca dell'Incoronata

It's located at the end of Via San Marco within the city’s Spanish walls after the “Tombun de San Marc”.
  • Art & Culture
Conca dell'Incoronata

Convento (ex) dell’Annunciata

Very simple on the outside, inside this church conserves a magnificent cycle of frescoes.
  • Art & Culture
Convento dell'Annunciata

Palazzo Annoni

Villa Annoni is a historic 19th century villa in Cuggiono, in the metropolitan city of Milan.
  • Art & Culture
Palazzo Annoni

Palazzo Archinto

Known as “Il Castello” for the two towers that characterise the only remaining wing.
  • Art & Culture
Palazzo Archinto

Pontoon bridge

This bridge is one of the last remaining pontoon bridges in Italy.
  • Navigli
Ponte delle barche