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Attractive canal that passes through the city
Digging of the Naviglio Grande was begun in 1177. It was extended as far as Milan in 1257 when it flowed into the Darsena. It was one of the first canals in Milan and was one of the most important engineering works to be carried out in Lombardy during the Middle Ages.
A branch of the Ticino near Tornavento, the Naviglio Grande enters Milan after about 50 km. For centuries it performed a fundamental role in the city's economy by connecting it to the great canal network in Lombardy (it was this way that the large pink marble blocks used for the construction of Milan cathedral entered the city).
Today it has lost almost all its commercial value. Exiting the Darsena along the towpath of the Naviglio Grande, you will see the large residential buildings with fenced courtyards from the early 1900's, arts and crafts workshops, old barges (now turned into bars), the many areas that are undergoing urban renewal, and, further out, the country villas of the nobility (particularly between Abbiategrasso and Robecco sul Naviglio).
Make a quick stop near Vicolo Lavandai, the ancient shelter with wooden beams that covers the communal wash-house. It is an image of a Milan from the past.
| Neighborhood: | Navigli-Porta Ticinese |
| Address: | Alzaia Naviglio Grande |
| Ripa di Porta Ticinese | |
| Milan, 20144 | |
| Nearest train: | MM2 Porta Genova |