The best MTB trails around Vignate

The Canale della Muzza is an important hydraulic work from the 12th-13th century that branches off the Adda river in Cassano d'Adda and extends for about 39 km to Castiglione d'Adda. It is one of the oldest and largest irrigation canals in Europe, fundamental for Lodi's agriculture, now also flanked by cycle paths.

The Esterle power plant was particularly well-designed from an architectural point of view, as it was intended to be representative of the Edison company that built it. It looks more like a Lombard pleasure villa than a true industrial facility. The effort to integrate the building into the surrounding territory, made in the early 20th century during the construction of the plant, was remarkable. Today it represents a significant example of monumental industrial archaeology and is known for its particular beauty. Inside, the walls and ceiling of the engine room were decorated with great care, as were the floors, lamps, light fixtures, and numerous wrought-iron furnishings.

The Adda River is the fourth longest watercourse in Italy with its 313 kilometers and is entirely contained within the Lombardy region. It represents one of the main left tributaries of the Po River and has a very large hydrographic basin that covers about a third of the regional territory.

Among the most picturesque corners of the route. Here the Adda is beautiful

The Muzza Canal is the oldest in Europe and just this year, its 800th anniversary was celebrated by the Municipality of Paullo in collaboration with the Pro Loco and other Municipalities. Its origin dates back to the year 1220, when Frederick II of Swabia, crowned emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, issued an imperial edict that granted the people of Lodi the right to use the waters flowing within their territory. The current route, about 60 km long, receives the waters of the Adda River at Cassano d’Adda, at an altitude of 120 m above sea level, crosses the Lodi territory for about 40 km until near Castiglione d’Adda, at an altitude of 45 m above sea level, and here it releases them back into the Adda River. It has a regulated water regime, with a flow rate, depending on the season, of about 200 thousand liters of water per second; an initial width of 50 meters which reduces to a few meters at the end of its course and an average depth of 2 meters.

The Naviglio della Martesana is perhaps the least known among the ancient artificial canals that connect Milan to the great Lombard rivers. It originates from the Adda river in Concesa, a hamlet of Trezzo d’Adda, crosses the sub-region of Martesana, northeast of the provincial capital, and once in the city, it goes underground beneath via Melchiorre Gioia, near Cassina de’ Pomm. It measures approximately 38 km in length, with a width varying from 9 to 18 meters. However, in the past, the Naviglio della Martesana continued in the open air all the way to the center, where a system of locks centered on the Conca dell’Incoronata connected it to the short Naviglio di S. Marco and the urban network of the Navigli. The lock was inaugurated in 1496, utilizing lock gates designed by Leonardo da Vinci. The canal had been opened in 1471, under Francesco Sforza. By connecting it to the other Navigli, Leonardo laid the foundations for realizing a dream of the Sforza family: to travel by water from the Ticino river, and therefore from Lake Maggiore, to the Adda river.

The route runs alongside the Naviglio della Martesana, perhaps the least known among the ancient artificial canals connecting Milan to the great Lombard rivers. It originates from the Adda river in Concesa, a hamlet of Trezzo d’Adda, crosses the Martesana sub-region, north-east of the provincial capital, and once in the city, it plunges underground beneath via Melchiorre Gioia, near Cassina de’ Pomm. It measures approximately 38 km in length, with a width varying from 9 to 18 meters. However, at one time, the Naviglio della Martesana continued in the open air right into the center, where a system of locks centered on the Conca dell’Incoronata connected it to the short Naviglio di S. Marco and the urban ring of the Navigli. The lock was inaugurated in 1496, utilizing lock gates designed by Leonardo da Vinci. The canal had been opened in 1471, under Francesco Sforza. By connecting it to the other Navigli,

From Milan (Mi) to Trezzo sull’Adda (Mi). Lush vegetation and surprising architecture make this cycle path a pleasant opportunity to spend a Sunday cycling. The elevation gain is non-existent, the only difficulty could be the length, but it can easily be remedied thanks to the metro which, up to Gessate, closely follows the cycle path.