A PROVINCE TO BE EXPLORED - Visita Milano

Cornate
d’Adda
Parco Adda Nord
On the Adda on the Addarella
pendent municipality in 1870 (combined with the
districts of Colnago and P orto). The history of
these districts is somewhat detac hed from that of
the main town. Porto’s existence was documented
in the 12th/13th century. Located near a ford of
the Adda River, it was of strategic importance because,
from 1428 to 1797, it was on the border between
the realms of Venice and Milan.
The parish church of S. Giorgio, which underwent
major changes in the last quarter of the 16th
century, was enlarged in 1771 and in 1873-1887 was
reduced to a nave and two aisles by F elice Monzini.
The parish c hurch also had some important
paintings, such as the Visitation by Camillo Procaccini
(on loan from the Brera Gallery in Milan) and
a 17th-century St. Francis of Assisi being comforted by
an Angel. The Neoclassical St. Joseph is said to b e
the work of the sculptor Pompeo Marchesi. It is also
worth seeing Villa Biffi Sormani , designed by
Carlo Amati (1802-1804) and the 18th-century Villa
Comi, redone in the 19th century.
The Sanctuary of the Madonna della Rocchetta
sits on a roc ky outcrop. T he c hurch was
built in 1386 by the physicist Beltrando Cornatese,
who invited the hermit friars of St. Augustine to the
location. This order, though, occupied the site for
only a few decades, because, at the beginning of the
15th century, Filippo Maria Visconti turned it into
a fort, but left the church intact.
The Adda Nord Park is a nature
reserve that was instituted
in 1983. It follows the
Adda valley for about 54 km,
from north to south, from
Lake Lecco to Truccazzano
(and the border with the Adda
Sud Park). The total area
is 7,437 ha. It includes some
large wooded areas, filled
with lush vegetation and numerous
water species, birds
and even terrestrial animals.
It also has its fair share of archaeological
elements, such
as remnants from the Cluniac
monks (farmhouses and
monasteries), Renaissance
hydraulic works (Leonardo’s
locks), noble villas, and examples
of industrial archaeology
(Paderno bridge, the
Crespi d’Adda model workers
village, spinning mills and
factories). The raised towpath,
now a cycle path, runs
along the river from Lecco
to T rezzo sull’Adda (and
then on to Milan along the
Martesana canal) is an ideal
way to explore the key parts
of the park easily and calmly.
The park also offers guide
services, bicycle hire and
boat trips (rubber ducks and
on the Addarella, an ecological
boat that has zero environmental
impact). For info:
Adda Nord Park, Villa Gina,
via Benigno Calvi 3, Concesa
district, tel. 0292273118,
www.visitadda.com
Monza and its province
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