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Adda: the historical river that inspired Leonardo |
The River Adda has a long history. A distinctive feature of the plain between the Alps and the River Po, for centuries it marked the boundary between the Republic of Venicd and the State of Milan. Water from the river was diverted along a network of canals and waterways, known as the “Navigli”, and played an important role in irrigating the vast Milanese countryside. Before the railways were built, a small fleet of boats and barges on the “Navigli” supplied Milan with all types of goods, ranging from products from the fields to the gravel and stones needed for building.
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Mighty works such as the Visconti castle of Trezzo, the Taccani hydroelectric power plant (which began operating in 1906), the wrought iron bridge at Paderno, also known as the Eiffel Tower of the Adda, and the workers’ village of Crespi d’Adda, a UNESCO world heritage site, are just some of the vast number of constructions that man left behind along the banks of the river. The Adda, together with its historical, artistic and environmental heritage, are protected and managed by the Parco Adda Nord (North Adda Park), and the Parco Adda Sud (South Adda Park). These interesting features of the river make it the ideal destination for a weekend or for tourists interested in the cultural aspects and wildlife of the area.
The Adda is also known as “Leonardo’s river” because of the Renaissance genius’s interest in this water course, and in particular its most spectacular parts. Leonardo da Vinci lived in Milan from 1482 to 1500 and, later, from 1506 to 1512. During this time he was a guest in the country residence of the Milanese aristocrat Girolamo Melzi in Vaprio d’Adda. While staying there he not only studied and conducted experiments on the water flow and currents, but also made drawings of places and views along the river. The “Three Horns” are a famous attraction. These rocks appeared in the background of the painting of the “Virgin of the Rocks” and, perhaps, in the painting of the Mona Lisa. The Royal Library at Windsor even possesses a drawing of the ferry that connected the banks of the river between Vaprio and Canonica. For this reason, the unusual craft that crossed the river between Villa d’Adda and Imbersago was called “Leonardo’s ferry”. Among the various studies and projects he carried out during his sojourns are the improvements made to the hydraulic locks, known as the “conche vinciane” (Vinci chambers). The “Ecomuseo Adda di Leonardo” was set up to preserve and enhance this extraordinary heritage. In the Church of Our Lady of Sorrows, near the old dam of Paderno d’Adda, a series of panels are dedicated to Leonardo’s painting and to the countryside around the Adda, while the hydraulic project and hydraulic machines researched by Leonardo can be seen in the “Stallazzo” museum rooms along the Paderno “Naviglio” towpath.
A vast network of footpaths and cycle paths offer the perfect opportunity to spend a pleasant day discovering the river and its surrounding countryside. The Bergamask bank, in particular, has many interesting sights, including Romanesque churches and castles, and an easy detour leads to Sotto il Monte and some of the places dear to the memory of Pope John XXIII, the “Good Pope”. An enjoyable way to spend a day, especially in summer, is a walk along the towpaths. These raised roads were created so that oxen or horses could tow the barges returning up the River Adda. These routes, lying between the green vegetation of the banks and inviting fresh water of the river, afford beautiful views over the river and to the nearby mountains.
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