Arlate to Vaprio d'Adda
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Arlate to Vaprio d'Adda
Lombardia

11. Arlate to Vaprio d'Adda

Water
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As you approach Milan, the metropolis of Lombardy, a rich region in northern Italy, you can guess the intense agricultural and industrial activities on the plateau, but the steep and wooded path at the bottom of the valley on the Adda river offers a change of scenery and calm by the fast water.
A powerful mountain river, the Adda has dug its bed, which now winds its way through steeply sloping gorges. On either side of this fault, cities and cultures alternate on the plateau that can be seen beyond the steep and wooded slopes.

13 points of interest

  • Cultural

    Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Woods

    A relaxing sanctuary accessible by large stairs and offering a superb view of the Adda Valley.
  • Tourist

    Leonardo's Ferry

    Boat allowing to cross the Adda river to go to Villa d'Adda which offers the possibility of accommodation, food and supplies.

    To know more about it

  • Cultural

    Church of the Alpini

    Chapel dedicated to the Alpinis, the Italian mountain soldiers.
  • Tourist

    San Michele Bridge

    An Eiffel-type bridge built on one of the most beautiful views of the Adda River painted by Leonardo da Vinci as a backdrop.
  • Cultural

    Oratory of San Ambrogio

    A small baroque oratory on the edge of the cycle path between the Adda and its diversion channel.
  • Cultural

    Sanctuary of the Madonna della Rochetta

    Ancient and beautiful church built on top of a small hill, with a magnificent view over some meanders of the Adda River.
  • Tourist

    Carlo Esterle hydroelectric station

    The Esterle hydroelectric power station dates back to 1914. It is known for its architecture, which is inspired by older Lombardy buildings, both on the outside and inside in the machine rooms. It has been modernised several times since 1998, while preserving the architecture and some of the old machinery. The power station is still in operation.
  • Tourist

    Taccani hydroelectric power plant

    The Taccani hydroelectric power station is an industrial building dating from the early 1900s that is still in operation today. It is famous for its architecture, its splendid facade and its Liberty interior: it is undoubtedly the best-known power station on the River Adda.
  • Historical

    Visconti Castle

    Built in the mid-1300s by Barnabò Visconti, this castle, probably one of the most imposing, was used as a military fortress but also as a summer residence for the lords of Milan. At the time of Sforza, it was the subject of a drawing by Leonardo da Vinci.
  • Cultural

    Sanctuary of Divine Maternity

    Convent belonging to the Carmelite order. Baroque Lombard style church with an illuminated altar.
  • Historical

    Villa Castelbarco

    Villa Castelbarco is a rural palace built on the site of a former monastery, whose general shape it takes on.
  • Tourist

    Villa Melzi

    This villa welcomed Leonardo da Vinci who made some drawings and machines left to his owner, Gérolamo Melzi.
  • Cultural

    Church of San Nicolo

    Neoclassical church of the 19th century, whose frescoes were made between 1880 and 1885 by the local painter Natale Riva.
    A visit to the church of San Nicolò, built between 1816 and 1817, is recommended as it houses the historic and imposing Bernasconi organ (3,600 pipes), built in just twenty months thanks to donations and the free labour of workers and parishioners: the expression "working for the church of Vaprio", i.e. voluntarily, is still popular today.

Description

At the exit of the church, take via San Gottardo slightly to the left, follow it and turn left into via Fontana :
  1. Then take the first street on the left (via Cazzulino) which joins via Nuova Provinciale along a dirt road. Continue straight ahead on via Colonne di san Colombano which, after a bend to the left, descends towards the Adda. At the water's edge, turn right into via Piazzale Leonardo da Vinci. At the hamlet of Traghetto sull'Adda, where it is possible to cross the river by boat, continue along the riverside path to the Edison Semenza hydroelectric power station.
  2. Turn left at the lock in front of a stone building and then right to continue along the track on a strip of land between a canal and the river. Pass under the large metal San Michele bridge of the SP54 and continue until you reach a chapel and a footbridge that crosses a canal. Follow the path between the canal and the river until you reach the Madonna della Rochetta sanctuary.
  3. Cross the canal by a footbridge at the foot of the sanctuary and continue on the right bank of the canal until you reach the next footbridge at a lock that leads to the other bank. At the Edison Martini power station, cross the canal again and follow the path along the canal to the next Edison Esterle power station. Continue along Via Alzaia until you reach the outskirts of Trezzo sull'Adda.
  4. Continue along the banks of the Adda, which meanders at Torre di Teolinda before continuing south. Pass under the Serenissima motorway, leave the town and continue to the next bridge (Ponte di Canonica) below Vaprio d'Adda.
  5. Continue along the path between the canal and the river until it turns to the right to return to the final destination.
  • Departure : Church San Gottardo e San Colombano, Via Parrochiale 41, 23885 Arlate
  • Arrival : Cherche Saint Columban, Via Don Moletta, 20069 Vaprio d'Adda
  • Towns crossed : Lombardia

Altimetric profile

Transport

Bus:
Asf Autolinee, 
line C46 Como-Merate-Bergamo,
asfautolinee.it.

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