Il Naviglio Grande, Milano

Milano has canals – but they are nothing like Venezia’s – more like London, Camden Lock in particular.  Located in an industrial part of town, many bars and restaurants line both sides of the canal.  We went by metro, got off at Porto Genova and walked over.

Next to the canal, we wandered into the courtyard of a block of apartments where there are several artist’s studios, evidenced by the display of the work some of which are for sale.

Apparently, the canal was built in the 12th century, the construction of which was overseen by Leonardo da vinci.  It belonged to a system of Lombardy canals which served as Milano’s major transportation network until the railways were built.

The banks of the canal are lined by street vendors – handbags, incenses, etc.  We had dinner at the Trattoria on the left (see photo below) which will be the subject of the next post.

The canal does not look healthy but there is a flock of ducks – one adult herding 15 or so ducklings.  You can see them in the photo below as a line of dots on the water.

Close up of the ducklings. Every city needs some “wild” life.

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