Accessing the Naviglio Martesana from Greco: A Gateway to Nature in Northern Milan

The Naviglio Martesana and Its Historical Significance

The Naviglio Martesana is one of the key waterways of Milan, tracing its origins to the 15th century. Designed under the direction of the Sforza dynasty, this canal was engineered to connect the Adda River to Milan, allowing for irrigation and the transport of goods. It played a crucial role in the city's agricultural and industrial development, serving as a vital artery for commerce well into the 19th century. The Naviglio Martesana is historically distinct from the more tourist-oriented Naviglio Grande, yet it is equally important to Milan's heritage.

Stretching from the town of Trezzo sull'Adda to the Cassina de' Pomm area in Milan, the canal runs for about 38 kilometers and enters the Municipio 2 district through neighborhoods like Crescenzago, Gorla, and finally Greco. While its commercial use has long ceased, the Naviglio Martesana now serves as a scenic and recreational corridor, attracting pedestrians, cyclists, and nature enthusiasts. In recent decades, local municipalities have invested in preserving and enhancing the canal's accessibility, including safe walkways, bicycle paths, and ecological restoration projects.

Today, the Martesana stands as a tranquil contrast to Milan's bustling urban core. Its shaded banks, tree-lined paths, and small bridges offer a green escape, especially for residents of the densely populated northern districts. In this context, the Greco neighborhood plays a strategic role, offering several direct access points to the canal and serving as a popular starting point for leisurely walks or bike rides along its course.

Access Points and Pathways from the Greco Neighborhood

Greco provides convenient and well-maintained access to the Naviglio Martesana, particularly from the areas near Via Emilio de Marchi and Via Breda. These roads offer pedestrian routes that connect directly to the canal's towpath, a continuous greenway officially known as the 'Alzaia Martesana.' The route is paved, well-signposted, and suitable for cyclists and walkers alike, making it one of the most accessible sections of the Martesana within the Milan municipality.

One of the most frequented access points is the footpath at Via Rucellai, which leads down to the canal from residential Greco. This point is popular with both local residents and visitors arriving via Greco Pirelli train station. It provides easy access to several kilometers of uninterrupted riverside path, allowing users to head west toward Cassina de' Pomm or eastward in the direction of Gorla and beyond. The path features benches, informational panels about local history and fauna, and occasional small playgrounds or picnic areas.

Additionally, the neighborhood benefits from infrastructure improvements that have made the route more welcoming. Street-level signage has been updated in recent years, and lighting along the canal has been improved for evening use. These upgrades are part of broader municipal efforts to integrate the Naviglio Martesana into Milan's network of urban greenways. For Greco residents, this means having a unique natural amenity just a short walk or bike ride away—something uncommon in such a densely urbanized setting.

Ecological and Recreational Value Along the Canal

The stretch of the Naviglio Martesana that runs adjacent to Greco is particularly rich in biodiversity. While much of the canal is lined with urban features, this segment retains patches of semi-natural vegetation, including willows, alders, and reeds. These green areas provide habitats for birds such as herons, blackbirds, and robins, as well as for small aquatic and terrestrial fauna. Local volunteers and environmental groups occasionally organize clean-up and awareness events along the canal banks, often starting from Greco access points.

For recreational users, the canal path offers a car-free corridor that supports a wide range of activities. Jogging, dog walking, cycling, and inline skating are popular, especially on weekends and during warm months. The stretch near Greco is known for its relatively low congestion compared to more central segments of the canal. Its peaceful ambiance and proximity to historic features of the Greco neighborhood make it a favored route for those seeking a relaxing but engaging outdoor experience.

The canal also hosts cultural and social events throughout the year, including community bike rides, music performances, and art installations. These are sometimes organized in collaboration with neighborhood associations based in Greco or cultural groups from the broader Municipio 2 district. By providing a setting for such events, the Naviglio Martesana contributes not only to environmental quality but also to community cohesion and local identity.

Urban Integration and the Future of the Martesana Corridor

In recent years, the City of Milan and regional authorities have increased their focus on the Martesana corridor as part of broader sustainable urban planning goals. This includes integration with Milan's network of green mobility paths (Rete dei Percorsi Ciclabili), improved signage, and expanded green buffer zones. The Greco section is particularly well-positioned to benefit from these initiatives due to its connectivity with both local transportation nodes and active civic organizations.

There are ongoing discussions about enhancing accessibility for people with reduced mobility, upgrading surface materials in certain segments, and further naturalizing canal edges. Greco's role in these plans is pivotal, given its location near transport infrastructure and educational institutions like the Bicocca campus. This makes it an ideal test case for sustainable neighborhood-scale integration of ecological and recreational assets into daily urban life.

As urban pressure continues to mount across Milan, the Martesana canal—and particularly its Greco segment—stands out as a model of how historical infrastructure can be adapted for contemporary needs. It provides not only a recreational escape but also an ecological corridor and a physical and symbolic link between neighborhoods. The continued enhancement and preservation of access points in Greco will ensure that this part of Municipio 2 remains connected to nature, history, and the rhythms of community life.