Cuggionesi:

     (n) The people native to or the residents of the village of Cuggiono, Italy.

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The Naviglio Grande

Il Ticinello - The Little Ticino
Waterwheel on the Naviglio GrandeThe city of Milan, which is found at the base of the Italian Alps, lies in the center of the fertile plains of the Lombardy region of Italy. Milan enjoys a prestigious reputation as being well developed, a pace-setter for European commerce, banking, fashion, etc. However, unlike most thriving cities, Milan it is not served by a major river. This fact may not seem important in many respects, especially in the age of well developed roads, railroads, and communication. However, when considered from the historical perspective that existed before these more recent developments, the city may have sustained a very different course of development except for one item: the Naviglio Grande.
The concept for the Naviglio Grande was first outlined in 1179 as a way of linking Lake Maggiore of the Italian Alps with the region of Lombardia and the city of Milan via the Ticino River. Eventually, this complex water system is connected to other major Northern Italian rivers, such as the Lambro, the Adda, and the Po, which ultimately feed into the Adriatic Sea. The water sytem which is the Naviglio Grande was ingeniously developed to maximize natural rainfall, springs, and to drain marsh and swamp lands, as well as to irrigate land which would otherwise be barren wasteland.
As the initial design for the Naviglio Grande took form, it was based upon a canal called the 'Ticinello', which was an artificial waterway of the time. From this concept, the dream was born to create 'il patriarca di tutti i canali Europei: il Naviglio Grande.' This dream was to connect the cities of Milan, Abbiategrasso, Turbigo, Tornavento, Vizzola, and others.
   
Walking along the Naviglio GrandeThe initial study for the engineering of the Naviglio Grande was carried out under the family Visconti. When Galeazzo Visconti became prominent in Pavia, which is the ultimate end of the Ticino as well as the Naviglio Grande, construction was begun.
The Naviglio Grande is often called 'il Ticinello', or the Little Ticino, because its water is drawn from the Ticino River. It connects Lake Maggiore, from the city of Sesto Calende, to the city of Milan. The watersystem became navigable in part around 1211, and sustained improvements which made it wider and deeper until it became fully navigable in 1272, nearly 100 years after its initial conception. The Naviglio Grande made possible the movement of important items of commerce which were previously bound to overland routes: grain, salt, wine, manufactured goods, coal, timber, livestock, cheese, hay, etc. The Naviglio Grande was used for troop and defense movement as well. The movement of granite and marble from the Alps made possible the construction of the architectural masterpiece of Milan, the Duomo.
Sunday afternoon on the Naviglio GrandeThe increased waterflow to the Lombardy region, as well as the city of Milan, provided irrigation, fishing, bathing, and other needed water for the population. From the increased water flow, the growth of the health of the region was realized. The vegitation around the Naviglio Grande, as well as crops in the newly irrigated farmland, began to grow profusely. During the 1700-1800's, there were many impressive villas and palaces with lush gardens that were designed and built. Many of the elite of Milan constructed summer houses along the Naviglio, most of which still stand.
Today one can embark on tours of the Naviglio from Milan. Daily activity along the Naviglio is profuse, especially on the weekends. Fishing, hiking, biking, and walking are the popular treats for this beautiful environment. There are bridges which cross the Naviglio which have been in place for many years, some are capable of single lane traffic only. Time along the Naviglio is restful as well as a study of the history of the Lombardy Region of Northern Italy. Any traveler to the Lombardy region should consider spending some time along the Naviglio Grande.
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