The best cycling routes around Boltiere

nice smooth with many people

The Naviglio della Martesana, definitively completed in 1496 under the guidance of Ludovico il Moro, flows from Trezzo sull’Adda to Milan for a total length of 38 km. The route runs alongside the ancient Roman road (the current SS 11 padana superiore) which crossed the Adda with two branches: at Vaprio and Cassano. Irrigation of the land located above the spring belt was for a long time the predominant use of the canal, so much so that initially navigation was limited to two days a week; concurrently with the improvement of the agricultural structure thanks to irrigation, a notable flourishing of stately villas occurred in the Baroque era, intended to enjoy the convenience of travel on water and to control owned lands.

Naviglio della Martesana is perhaps the least known of the ancient artificial canals connecting Milan to the great Lombard rivers. It originates from the Adda in Concesa, a hamlet of Trezzo d’Adda, crosses the Martesana sub-region, northeast of the provincial capital, and once in the city, it plunges underground beneath Via Melchiorre Gioia, at the height of Cassina de’ Pomm. It measures approximately 38 km in length, with a width varying from 9 to 18 meters. However, once upon a time, the Naviglio della Martesana continued in the open air all the way to the center, where a lock system 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 Sforzas: to travel by water from the Ticino, and therefore from Lake Maggiore, all the way to the Adda.

In Groppello d'Adda, along the Martesana Canal, there is a large waterwheel called "el rudun." It is not a mill, but a noria that was used to raise water for irrigation. It was built in 1618 at the behest of Cardinal Federico Borromeo. It was used to irrigate the vegetable gardens and gardens of the Archbishop's Villa. Tradition attributes the design to Leonardo da Vinci. The water also fed kitchens, washhouses, and livestock watering troughs. The original wheel was dismantled in the late 19th century. The current one is a 1989 reconstruction, restored several times. It has a diameter of 11 meters and eight large blades. Today, it is a historical and educational symbol that tells the story of the area's past.

Iconic cycleable asphalt ramp leading to the Castle

The church's current structure is largely the result of 20th-century reconstructions and expansions, although its origins date back to older religious buildings. It is the hub of the town's religious and community life. The building stands out for its modern architectural lines, typical of the reworking of traditional 20th-century styles, and for its imposing bell tower that marks its presence in the urban landscape.

The Crespi d'Adda Workers' Village is an exceptionally well-preserved historic company town, built starting in 1877 by the Crespi family for the workers of their cotton mill. The town center is considered the finest example of a company town in Southern Europe for its conception of an "ideal city," where workers had all the necessary services, including single-family homes and social facilities. Its uniqueness lies in the fact that the houses are still inhabited. Due to its importance, it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995.

The Sanctuary and Rock Church of San Vittore Martire is an extraordinary complex spread across three levels, exploiting natural caves. The oldest part is the Hypogeum Rock Church, a cave of early medieval origin known for a 10th-century fresco believed to have served as a refuge. Over this, a more classical-style Upper Church was built. The entire complex is connected by a Holy Staircase.