ITAdda Nord Park
Along the river, through art and nature
With the arrival of the summer season we recommend a visit to an area where nature blends with historical remains from distant and recent times to create an extraordinary landscape: the Adda Nord Park.
The park has archaeological and monumental sites of great importance, with river engineering works such as Leonardo's locks (Trezzo sull'Adda), the Paderno bridge (in the province of Lecco) and the workers' village in Crespi d'Adda (within the territory of the province of Bergamo).
This part of our province provides many opportunities for enjoying sport, from bicycle trips to canoeing down the river.
There is no shortage of possibilities for wonderful walks, with stops at farm restaurants in Cassano d’Adda, Trezzo sull’Adda, Trucazzano and Vaprio d’Adda, where even the most discerning palates will be satisfied by the delicious local traditional dishes.
We recommend two short routes, suitable for all, to fully enjoy the natural, scenic and artistic beauty of these areas.
The first is a pleasant walk around Trezzo sull’Adda, an old mediaeval town within easy reach from Milan by public transport.
The Visconti Castle is a monument of exceptional importance. According to legend, it was erected on the ruins of a fortress that had been built for Teodolinda, Queen of the Lombards. Only a few parts of the castle still remain today and these can be visited with a guide.
The Taccani hydroelectric power station, an example of art nouveau architecture wonderfully incorporated into the surrounding natural environment, can be seen near the river. The power station can be visited both by individuals and organised groups. The river can be enjoyed in all its splendour along this stretch and the abundant local wildlife, especially swarms and moor hens, can easily be seen.
The second route runs from the location of Concesa di Trezzo sull’Adda to Cassano D’Adda. Villa Gina, now the Adda Nord Park headquarters, can be seen from the Divina Maternità sanctuary beside the Discalced Carmelite convent. Continuing southwards along the Naviglio della Martesana (which is only navigable during the summer months along the Concesa - Vaprio d’Adda stretch) you reach the municipality of Vaprio d’Adda, where the magnificent Villa Castelbarco Albani park is located. The Binda paper mill, a masterpiece of industrial architecture, can also be seen in the same area. The stately building of Villa Melzi d’Eril, which was the residence of the great Leonardo da Vinci for about 7 years, from 1506, is also in Vaprio d’Adda, near the bridge linking the municipality with Canonica d’Adda. Continuing along the Martesana canal, you come to Cassano d’Adda, or the hamlet of Gropello to be precise, where the characteristic “Rudun”, the name given to the large water wheel from the late sixteenth century, can be seen along the right hand bank of the Naviglio Martesana. The sumptuous villa Borromeo stands in the centre of Cassano. The villa's large park runs along the avenue leading to Borromeo castle, on the bank of the Muzza canal.
Another possibility for visiting this exceptional nature area is provided by the extraordinary Adda di Leonardo Ecomuseum. This is a nature trail following the footsteps of the genius, Da Vinci, created in the remarkable environment along the course of the river to protect the area’s nature and biodiversity. The Ecomuseum trail, which can be travelled on foot or by bicycle, begins at the north “gate”, in the territory of the province of Lecco, crossing the river Adda on the ferry between Imbersago and Villa d’Adda. The route ends at the south “gate” of the Adda di Leonardo Ecomuseum trail in Cassano d’Adda, in the province of Milan. A modern tour service is available for tourists, providing an original and innovative way to visit to the Martesana waterway, from Milan to Trezzo sull'Adda, with audio guides that can be freely downloaded from a special area on our site.
The entire route and its various sections can be covered in both directions: from Milan to Trezzo sull'Adda and vice versa. The stages are indicated along the route and on the map by special signposts with the name of the stop and its corresponding letter.