Lodi and Milan - Parco Adda Sud

10 CYCLING ROUTES FROM PUNTO PARCO CASA DELL’ACQUA IN PAULLO

Cyc l ing between Lodi and Mi lan

Provincia di Lodi

Comune di Paullo

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> INTRODUCTION _ Translated by: Daniela Paraboschi

PAULLO, LAND OF BOUNDARIES

T he history of Paullo is strongly con-nected to water. A vast water basin,the legendary and mysterious Lake

Gerundo, extended in the past from Truc-cazzano southwards, flooding most of thatland that today is called the “Lodigiano”north from Lodi. Floods of the rivers Adda and Serio formedan area of morasses and marshes, and it isfrom the Latin word for marsh, “palus” (in Ital-ian “palude”) that the name Paullo is derived. The existence of Lake Gerundo is men-tioned in chronicles and documents untilyear 1000. Later on, the work of land recla-mation performed throughout Milanese andLodigiano drained the lake away.Today the remains of this lake can be seen inMignete (see Routes 1, 4 and 9) hamlet ofZelo Buon Persico, where a vast grove ofreeds and wetlands (the famous “Mortone”)can be observed from the morphologicalterrace near the cycling route towards Lodi,along the Provincial Street SP16. Here it iscommon to see grey herons, pheasants andother rare birds that have found their idealhabitat in this environment.

View of the Muzza towpath

10 CYCLING ROUTES FROM PUNTO PARCO CASA DELL’ACQUA IN PAULLO

Cyc l ing between Lodi and Mi lan

Today the names of the places bring back tomemory the legend of Lake Gerundo, withits power of suggestion and appeal. Waterhas given this land a primordial “imprinting”.Still today, with the network of dykes andcanals and the majestic presence of theMuzza Canal, the landscape is shaped and in-fluenced by water. (Following Route 2, Route3 and Route 7 it is possible to follow thetowpath along an extremely interestingstretch of Muzza, north from Paullo).TheRoman conquest, at the end of III century BCand the subsequent work of land reclamationradically changed the landscape. The extent of

wetlands was reduced, merging the watersinto the «Mutia» (ancient name of the MuzzaCanal), so called to honour the Roman mag-istrate who supervised its building.With the fall of the Roman Empire and thebarbaric invasions, the territory went intosignificant decay. At the beginning of the Xcentury, the Benedictine monks ownedCascina Villambrera: here they erected theOratorio di Sant’Eusebio (see Routes 1 and10) which is still there. The beautiful parish church is believed tohave been founded by Benedictine monks,however this church was demolished in

The “Mortone” in Mignete (Zelo Buon Persico) Cascina Villambrera (Paullo)

1965 to make room for an ugly building inreinforced concrete.In the XIII century the excavation of theMuzza Canal was resumed. This Canal stillrepresents one of the most important irri-gation works in Europe. By that time it wasa subject of contention between Lodigianiand Milanesi for the control of its waters.Following Route 2 the source of the MuzzaCanal from the river Adda can be seen inCassano d’Adda.During the feudal period, Paullo went underthe “Signoria” of the Visconti and then underthe Sforza, dukes of Milan. In 1452, during the

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war between Milan and the Republic ofVenice, two towers and a dyke were built byFrancesco Sforza for the defence of theMuzza Canal. By this time the Muzza was aborderline to safeguard the contentious dif-ferences between Milanesi and Veneziani.In 1540 the fiefdom of “Paullo Lodigiano”was made over from the feudal lords Car-cassola (Palazzo Carcassola can still be seenin Marzano following Route 7) to PrinceTaxis of Cornello (in the Province of Berg-amo). The coats of arms of these two fami-

lies can still be identified in the municipalcoat of arms of the Comune di Paullo. In 1708, Paullo, as well as the whole region ofLombardy, passed into Austrian control.In 1797 the French troops led by Napoleonarrived, defeating the Austrians. You are re-minded of the journey by the Corsican Gen-eral, as you view the so called NapoleonBridge, which can be reached by bicycle alongthe old bed of Muzza, at the “Zelasche” (seeRoute 4). Paullo was finally included in theCisalpine Republic and then in the Reign of

Italy. When Bonaparte fell (1815) the Austrianswere back and Paullo was assigned to the ad-ministrative control of the province of Lodi.The village took part in the “Cinque Giornatedi Milano” the five days of Milan (1848), withabout forty volunteers. These volunteers, de-feated by the Austrian army, retreated back tothe bridge over the Muzza Canal, where theyerected barricades, which were soon sweptaway by the troops of general Radetzky, firingcannonballs against the bell tower, but failingto knock it down.

Carcassola Grugni Palace in Marzano The “Napoleon” bridge at the “Zelasche”

Once again the Muzza was a field of militaryengagement between opposing battlegroups.After the Unification of Italy the his-tory of Paullo merged into the national his-tory. Paullo also took part in the “Resistenza”with bloody battles between Nazi fascistsand partisans. Today this small town has lostits identity as a farmers’ country village andhas experienced a strong urbanization, be-coming a modern residential centre with apopulation of about 11000 inhabitants.

In 1990 Paullo entered the Parco Agricolo SudMilano, founded with the objective of givingvalue to the agricultural history of this territoryand to safeguard its environment and land-scape. (In Route 8 it is possible to cross theCarengione, one of the forest areas typical ofthis park, in Route 5 the Natural Reserve Sor-genti della Muzzetta is crossed, while in Route6 the Oasis of Montorfano can be reachedwith a small detour, which are also inside theParco Agricolo Sud Milano). From a territorystandpoint, Paullo became the last municipalitybefore the Parco Adda Sud, the other largeriver park along the river Adda, the borderlinebeing between Paullo and Zelo Buon Persico.In1992, with the creation of the Province ofLodi, Paullo became also the last municipalityof the Province of Milan along the borderlinewith the Province of Lodi. The Muzza Canal

(for the Paullesi, the citizens of Paullo, it is sim-ply “la Muzza”) the other historical borderlineand guardian of our territory, is now includedin the European Green Network as the Cy-cling Greenway Adda-Muzza, which alreadyconnects Lecco with the Po river, through asystem of towpaths and cycling routes.

The position of Paullo, across the Province ofLodi and the Province of Milan (with their cy-cling systems), between Parco Adda Sud andParco Agricolo Sud Milano, along a greenway

acknowledged at European level, is now asstrategic as it has ever been. The challenge isnow to utilize the immense opportunities of-fered by this environment and its unique situ-ation. The objective of this publication and ofPaullo che Pedala-FIAB is to transform this his-torical position along boundaries into a start-ing point, to know and discover on a bicyclethe huge natural heritage, history and culturethat unites the Province of Milano and theProvince of Lodi.Enjoy cycling between Milanese and Lodigiano!

The Muzza Canal near Lavagna (Comazzo)

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THE EDITORS

Daniela Paraboschi was born in Milan in1963 and she has lived in Paullo since 1994.She works in Information Technology in amultinational company. In July 2008 she be-came vice president of the association“Paullo che Pedala-FIAB”, of which she is afounding member.

Ezio Intropido was born in Milan in 1952and he has lived in Paullo since 1994. He isa financial analyst in a multinational com-pany. He is president of “Paullo che Ped-ala-FIAB”, of which he is a foundingmember.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSThis publication was possible thanks to the contribution of the following members ofPaullo che Pedala-FIAB: Angela Ferrari, Maria Berloto, Costanza Intropido, Adolfo Livraghi,Roberto Guarnieri, Carlo Signorini, Erminio Zibra, Antonio Ferrarese, Paolo Montemaggiand Claudio Targa.

General Map of the routes

> 10 CYCLING ROUTES FROM PUNTO PARCO CASA DELL’ACQUA IN PAULLO _

WARNINGWe decline any responsibility in the event of an accident along the described routes.These are travelled under the full responsibility of the user.

English Translator’s Note: The routes are also presented here in English. My translationhas been made easier by true friends who have reviewed my work. Special thanks go toNigel Jones for his encouragement, invaluable support and advice. Daniela Paraboschi

01 The Great Plain Forest of Lodi Km 42 round trip

02 Cassano d’Adda and the Borromeo Castle Km 40 round trip

03 On the Trail of Bramante: S. Biagio in Rossate Km 30 round trip

04 Laus Pompeia and its Saint Km 45 round trip

05 The Fontanile Oasis and the Street of the Duke Km 32 round trip

06 The Mediceo Castle in Melegnano Km 30 round trip

07 Sacred and Profane in “Alto Lodigiano” Km 25 round trip

08 The Carengione and the Castle of Peschiera Borromeo Km 40 round trip

09 Among Fields and Waters Km 26 round trip

10 From Laus Nova to the Walls of Pizzighettone Km 110 round trip

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> ACCOMMODATION AND FOOD IN PAULLO _

For those who would like to stop over in Paullo or in its neighbourhoods, in order

to try more than just one route, here is a list of recommended venues to refer to:

B&B LA CASA DI MARIELLAVia Vigorelli 25, PaulloTel. +393402652838, +390290630262

B&B LE BETULLE Via Martiri della Fede 3, PaulloTel. +393387529223, +393383952040Bicycles for guests

B&B CASCINA S.ANTONIOLoc. Cascina Sant’Antonio, PaulloTel. +39 0290632350

LOCANDA CORTE GRANDEVia Umberto I, 2/4, Tribiano Tel.: +39 0290636090Bicycles for guests

OSTERIA DEL BUON SENSOVia San Pedrino 1, Paullo Tel. +39 0290634651

RISTORANTE PAUSA PRANZOVia Del Carso 39, PaulloTel. +39 0290638291

RISTORANTE ENOTECA TOTIVia Matteotti 37, Paullo Tel. +39 029064614

RISTORANTE LA MANGIATOIAC.na Bentivoglio, Paullo Tel: +39 0290633339

PIZZERIA “’A PIZZA”Via Dante 38, PaulloTel. +39 0290633030

PIZZERIA LA FAVOLAVia Togliatti 6/8, Paullo Tel. +39 0290633866

ECO-BIKING ASSOCIATION FOR THE PROMOTION OF CYCLING

Head-office: Via S.Pedrino 43, 20067 PaulloTel: 349 8502064

http://[email protected]

PUNTO PARCO CASA DELL’ACQUAParco Agricolo Sud MilanoVia Michelangelo Buonarroti, 6 - Paullo (MI)Tel: +39 0371.420189

Consorzio Bonifica Muzza Bassa Lodigiana:http://http://[email protected]

The activities of Punto Parco Casa dell’Acqua include: Promoting initiatives aimed at the knowledge of theterritorial hydrographical network, exploiting andvaluing the structures that are available at the hy-draulic junction in Paullo.Organizing guided tours, both by bicycle and on foot,along the towpath of the Muzza Canal, in order topromote the bicycle as alternative means of transportfor the fruition of the territory, with educational stopsand tasting of local products. Collaborating with local agencies and associations, inorder to foster exchange of information and techni-cal material, meetings and training courses.

To Gigi Riccardi

cyc l ing between

Lodi and Mi lanROUTE

1THE GREAT PLAIN FOREST

OF LODI

Route is of average grade from Punto ParcoCasa dell’Acqua in Paullo to the Plain Forestbeneath the escarpment carved by the Addariver, south-east of Lodi.This urban forest is 40 hectares large. Its cre-ation is part of a programme of RegioneLombardia, aiming to create “Ten great plainforests” in the region.

TECHNICAL SHEETStarting and finishing point: PaulloDistance: 42km round tripTotal ascent: negligible Grade: averageRoad surface: 50% dirt road 50% asphalt,mainly along bicycle pathsRecommended type of bike: road or hybrid

WATER SOURCES ALONG THEROUTEDrinking fountains:Arcagna: next to the votive kiosk inArcagnaMontanaso: at the end of Via GaribaldiGalgagnano: town park in Piazza dellaLibertà

REST STOPSQuartiano: near the park in Via 4Novembre

MECHANICAL ASSISTANCEBicycle shop “F.lli Denti” Via Turati, Paullo(closed on Sundays)Cicli Diliè, piazzale Fiume, Lodi (open also on Sunday morning)

> ROUTE 1 _

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DIRECTIONS• From the Casa dell’Acqua in Paullo takethe left towpath of Muzza Canal goingdownstream.• Cross the bridge over the Muzza, nearCascina Villambrera and turn left at the endof the bridge into the right towpath.• Cycle ahead passing the waterfall and thesmall power plant Bolenzana as far as Quar-tiano, where the towpath stops.• Cross the pedestrian/cycling bridge on theleft and go ahead along Via 4 Novembre asfar as Galgagnano.• In Galgagnano cross the provincial street

SP16, turn right and resume the bicycle path.• Pass the villages Bellaria, Arcagna and theBelgiardino Canal and cycle ahead along thebicycle path as far as the junction betweenthe SP16 and the road to Montanaso.• At this point turn left into Via Garibaldi andthen at the end of the street turn right downhillalong the provincial street SP202 towards Lodi.• At the large roundabout in Lodi, turn left,cross the street and the car park of the super-market “LidL”, then cross Via Milano at the traf-fic lights and proceed on the left along thebicycle path (on the right side of the road).• As far as the next roundabout, turn right in

Viale Dalmazia, holding the left side where thebicycle path runs alongside of the Isola Car-olina Park. At the next roundabout turn leftinto Via Dell’Acquedotto, crossing Via D.Alighieri and taking Viale 4 Novembre (whichhas a bicycle path on the left side).• Cycle straight ahead into Viale Agnelli (bicy-cle path along the left lane). At Porta Crematurn right again into Corso Mazzini and thenleft into Via Friuli and proceed as far as CascinaColdana, where a dirt road leads to an over-pass crossing the Tangenziale of Lodi and lead-ing to the Plain Forest of Lodi. Travel back alongthe same route reversing these instructions.

Rest area at the Plain Forest

Paullo - Galgagnano Galgagnano - Lodi

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POINTS OF INTERESTLodi: The town of Lodi offers many sites ofspecial interest.Among others, the followingare worth mentioning:- Piazza della Vittoria and Piazza del Mercato - Piazza Castello and the Castello Visconteo

overlooking it- The Romanic Duomo, the most ancient

and most important monument in Lodi- The Tempio Civico dell’Incoronata is an ab-

solute must as it is a masterpiece of theLombard Renaissance, and it represents the

most prestigious monument of the town. The Great Plain Forest. Established in 2002by the Province of Lodi, with the support ofRegione Lombardia. The objective of thePlain Forest is to create a friendly environ-ment for all the native plants and animals ofthe region. Its aim is also to provide visitorswith evidence of the typical countrysidelandscape that once characterized the urbanneighbourhoods. Today the Plain Forest ofLodi represents one of the most importantnatural ecosystems of the Province of Lodi.

Nature trail in Parco Adda Sud Picturesque view along the way

DID YOU KNOW?Lodi is the only Italian town to have a bustrepresenting Frederick Redbeard, historicalenemy of the communal liber ties, and yetworshipped as the founding father by theLodigiani. The bust of the German emperorcan be seen on the right side of the Munic-ipal Palace.

> ACCOMMODATION AND FOOD _

B&B LA CASA DI OLIVERVia Defendente 60, LodiTel. +39.0371.411.777e-mail: [email protected]

BAR PONTE MUZZAVia 4 Novembre 50, Quartiano (closed on Sundays)

RISTORANTE LA COLDANAVia Privata del Costino, Lodi Tel +39 0371431742, e-mail: [email protected]

cyc l ing between


2CASSANO D’ADDA

AND THE BORROMEO CASTLE

This beautiful cycling route is of average grade.It crosses the amazing countryside along theMuzza Canal north of Paullo, with many pic-turesque outlooks and places of historical in-terest, from Punto Parco Casa dell’Acqua inPaullo to the Borromeo Castle in Cassanod’Adda. The route, entirely along the MuzzaGreenway, is like a ribbon along the historicalcanal that starts at the foot of the Castle.

TECHNICAL SHEETStarting and finishing point: PaulloDistance: 40km round tripTotal ascent: negligible Grade: averageRoad surface: 75% dirt road 25% asphalt,along secondary roads with little traffic. Inthe stretch along the Muzza towpath, it isrecommended to keep the children on theouter side, with adults alongside them,since there are some dangerous pointswith no fence.Recommended type of bike: road or hybrid

WATER SOURCES Drinking fountains:Paullo: at the beginning of the route, at theParco San Tarcisio (Via Manzoni)

REST STOPSCassano d’Adda: Recreational Centre“Dopolavoro Senatore Borletti” Via Pila

MECHANICAL ASSISTANCEBicycle shop “F.lli Denti” Via Turati, Paullo(closed on Sundays)

> ROUTE 2 _

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The Muzza little past ContericoFirst strecth: Paullo – Truccazzano

Cascina Villambrera in Paullo Second stretch: Truccazzano - Cassano

the traffic lights towards Conterico.• Follow the paved road as far as thehamlet of Conterico. Before the bridge(don’t cross it!) take the towpath on theright-hand side upstream.• Ride ahead along the canal until you getto a point near the hamlet of Lavagna, wherethe dirt road ends. Go ahead along the mainroad SP 102 on the left-hand side for about100 meters, cross the main road SP 101 andresume the dirt road along the Muzza.

Spring flowering along the Muzza Canal Cascina Castiona near Corneliano Bertario

• Keep cycling alongside the canal, leavingon the right-hand side the Cascina Cas-tiona and, when you get to the iron barof the old lock from which the Codognairrigation canal is derived, leave the dir troad and follow the main road SP 201 asfar as the cemetery of Truccazzano (al-ready visible), where a pedestrian under-pass will let you cross the main road SP14“Rivoltana”.

DIRECTIONS• From the Casa dell’Acqua in Paullo ridealong Via Buonarroti towards the centreof Paullo and take Via Milano (mind themotorized traffic!); cycle ahead along thisstreet as far as the junction with Via Man-zoni on the left-hand side. Turn left intoVia Manzoni.Travel the whole street (approx 1.300metres) reaching the junction with na-tional road “Paullese” (SS415). Ride past

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• Leave the cemetery on the right-handside, cross the small car park and finally re-sume the towpath along the Muzza Canalon the right-hand side. Travel as far as thebuilt-up area of Albignano, where the dirtroad turns into a paved road.Turn right onto the nice bridge over thecanal and enter the built-up area of Albig-nano. Cover Via del Ponte, turn right into Viadelle Ore and then turn left into Via Anguis-sola. At the roundabout turn right and covera short stretch along a bicycle path as far asthe next roundabout. Here the bicycle pathends and we must proceed along theProvincial Road 104 until we cross thebridge over the railway and ride past thepower plant. Soon afterwards we reach thebicycle path and follow it passing over therailway and turning right downhill as far asthe Piazzale della Stazione of Cassanod’Adda (with coffee bar and restrooms).• Proceed on the left and undertake theshort slope that leads to Via Rimembranze,a panoramic riverside route characterized bybeautiful villas and by a spectacular view overthe Muzza. Follow Via Rimembranze until itsend. Turn right into Via Verdi to reach thecentre of Cassano d’Adda and its Castle. • After visiting the town, you can ride backto Paullo using the same route in reverse. The bridge in Albignano

POINTS OF INTERESTAlbignano:- Palazzo Anguissola, around which the an-

cient village developed, creating a networkof narrow streets that branch off in a semi-circle, creating a striking picturesque effect.

Cassano d’Adda: - Palazzo Berva, a beautiful building of early

‘700, today it is the municipality head-office.- Villa Rosales Pallavicini, built in 1600 as a

defence bastion, was transformed into avilla in 1700. The garden was inauguratedin 1790. Inside the garden there is a circu-lar fountain and statues with mythological

subjects. Frescoes by the Galliari brothers,the first set designers of the Theatre allaScala at the time of Maria Theresa of Aus-tria, can be seen in the ball room.

- Villa Borromeo d’Adda, sumptuous resi-dence with a vast courtyard which empha-sizes its beautiful setting. Designed byarchitect Francesco Croce, it was trans-formed into a neoclassical villa by Piermarinibetween 1780 and 1785. This villa, sur-rounded by a large park, can be reserved formeetings and parties and is only visible fromoutside, along the avenue that crosses thetown and leads to the Borromeo Castle.

Castello Borromeo in Cassano d’Adda Villa Rosales Pallavicini

- Castello Borromeo, symbolic monument ofCassano. It was built around year 1000 andrestored in 1400 under Francesco Sforza,duke of Milan, who gave to the architectBartolomeo Gadio (who also worked atthe Duomo di Milano, Castello Sforzescoand Rocca di Soncino) the responsibility todesign the most significant and majesticchanges to the castle structure. The castledominates the confluence of the canal ofthe former Linificio Nazionale and the AddaRiver, and the starting point of the MuzzaCanal. Its powerful bastions overlook the bi-cycle path that crosses Cassano.

The Muzza Canal

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AZIENDA AGRICOLA TAVERNAGIOVANNAShopping in the Farm

Address: Azienda Agricola TAVERNAGIOVANNA Località Molino Molgora(strada F.ne Lavagna/Truccazzano), ComazzoPhone: +39 02 9061219Produce: meat of our own farm-raisedbeef. Open times: Sat. 8.00 – 18.00

DID YOU KNOW?The Muzza Canal starts in Cassano d’Adda,thanks to an interesting hydraulic device: northfrom Cassano, the canal of Linificio (linen fac-tory) is derived from the Adda river, in orderto feed the ancient spinning mill. One kilome-tre downstream, a dam feeds the continuationof the natural Adda, while the rest of thewater, already identifiable as the Muzza Canal,flows ahead and receives the water from theLinificio. Everything can be observed from thebridge that connects the Castle with the IsolaBorromeo.


ALBERGO RISTORANTE ISOLAVia Rivolta, Cassano d’AddaTel. +39 0363 63533e-mail: [email protected]

RISTORANTE ISOLA BORROMEOVia Colognesi, Cassano d’Adda (pedestrian area)Tel. +39 3357391840, +39 0363360400, e-mail: [email protected]

RISTORANTE L’ANTICO SAPOREVia Monte Nero 16, Truccazzano Tel. +39 3478577343

RISTORANTE LE DUE COLONNELargo Anguissola 3, AlbignanoTel. +39 02-9583025

RISTORANTE ANCORAP.zza Garibaldi 17, Cassano d’Adda Tel. +39 036361571

RISTORANTE CANTARANA Via Cantarana 234, Cassano d’Adda Tel. +39 036360059

PIZZERIA VECCHIO FIUMEP.zza Del Popolo 6, Cassano d’Adda Tel. +39 036362812

cyc l ing between


3ON THE TRAIL OF BRAMANTE:

S.BIAGIO IN ROSSATE

Here is an easy route, suitable for families,very interesting from a cultural and land-scape standpoint, along the Muzza Green-way, from Punto Parco Casa dell’Acqua inPaullo to the amazing Bramantesque Ora-torio of San Biagio in Rossate.

TECHNICAL SHEETStarting and finishing point: PaulloDistance: approx 30km round tripTotal ascent: negligibleGrade: easyRoad surface: 90% dirt road along atowpath 10% asphalt, along secondaryroads with little traffic. In the stretch alongthe Muzza towpath, it is recommended tokeep the children on the outer side, withadults alongside them, since there aresome dangerous points with no fence.Recommended type of bike: road or hybrid

WATER SOURCESDrinking fountains:Paullo: at the beginning of the route, at theParco San Tarcisio (Via Manzoni)

REST STOPS-

MECHANICAL ASSISTANCEBicycle shop “F.lli Denti” Via Turati, Paullo (closed on Sundays)

> ROUTE 3 _

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DIRECTIONS• From Casa dell’Acqua in Paullo ridealong Via Buonarroti towards the centreof Paullo and take Via Milano (mind the

motorized traffic!); cycle ahead along thisstreet as far as the junction with Via Man-zoni on the left-hand side. Turn left intoVia Manzoni.

• Travel the whole street (about 1.300 me-tres) reaching the crossroads with nationalroad “Paullese” (SS415). Ride past the trafficlights towards Conterico.

The towpath along the Muzza Canal before LavagnaCrossing the Muzza in Lavagna

• Follow the paved road as far as thehamlet of Conterico. Before the bridge (don’t cross it!) take thetowpath on the right-hand side upstream.Ride ahead along the canal until you getto a point near the hamlet of Lavagna,where the dir t road ends. Go ahead along the main road SP 102 onthe left-hand side for about 100 meters.

At the junction with the main road SP101, turn left onto the bridge and crossthe Muzza Canal. • Enter the hamlet of Lavagna and ridealong Via G.Marconi as far as the churchof the village.Ride along the right side of the churchand go ahead into a dir t road that leadsto the enchanting Oratorio of San Bia-

One of the “falls” along the Muzza course The Muzza under the bridge of Lavagna

gio, which stands out enigmatic, like acameo on a green carpet, in an untou-ched strip of land in the middle of theLodigiano plain.This beautiful building can’t fail to impressthe viewer. • Ride back along the same route.

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POINTS OF INTERESTComazzo (hamlet Lavagna, locality Rossate): - Oratorio of San Biagio built in the sixteenth

century. Its simple vision is worth the wholetrip. Built in visible red brick, it is a beautifulbuilding, probably designed by an unknownBramantesque scholar, with its square layout

and an octagonal cupola block. This oratorio,also known as the “Crucifix Church” be-cause of a cross that was kept there andwas subject of a particular devotion, is sadlyin a condition of total and inexplicable neg-lect.The church is open all year long, on Sat-urday and on festive days 14:30 to 17:30.

In general this route is characterized bybeautiful views of the Lodigiano countryside.

On sunny days, distant views of the PrealpiMountains across the Muzza Canal renderthe landscape striking.

Oratorio of San Biagio in Rossate The Muzza Canal near Lavagna

Lateral view of San Biagio


RISTORANTE PIZZERIA L’ARAGOSTINAVia Marconi 20, LavagnaTel. +39 02 9061103

OSTERIA DEL BUON SENSOVia San Pedrino 1, PaulloTel. +39 02.90634651

CASCINA DI MEZZOGreen B&BC.na Di Mezzo 20060 LISCATE (MI)+39 02 95350372www.cascinadimezzo.it

Contact: SUSANNA, ELENA, ROBERTO [email protected]

Farm guesthouse with restaurant (80 seats),B&B (6 beds), vast garden and lounge. Re-tail of: cold cuts, cakes, home-made pasta,jam and more. Playground for children.Guided tours for guests.

cyc l ing between


4LAUS POMPEIA AND ITS SAINT

This is an easy cycling route, affordable toeveryone who is accustomed to staying ona bicycle saddle, from Punto Parco Casadell’Acqua in Paullo, partly along the MuzzaGreenway, to the magnificent Basilica ofSan Bassiano in Lodi Vecchio, the ancientLaus Pompeia.

TECHNICAL SHEETStarting and finishing point: PaulloDistance: approx 40km round tripTotal ascent: negligibleGrade: easyRoad surface: completely flat and almostentirely on asphalt (except the stretchbetween the end of Via del Cimitero andthe junction with Via del Sandone in Lodi, atotal of 700 meters). The route runs mainlyalong bicycle paths, with three exceptions: 1. the crossing of Paullo, which is along a

busy road2. a 150 metres stretch starting from the

end of the bicycle path Zelo BP – Lodiand ending on the National Road ViaEmilia, where we ride along anotherbusy road

3. a 1 km stretch along secondary roadsbetween San Grato and Lodi.

Recommended type of bike: road or hybrid

WATER SOURCESDrinking fountains:Paullo: Parco San Tarcisio, Via ManzoniVilla Pompeiana: rest area Parco Sud Arcagna: votive kiosk of the “Madonna delGabon”

Lodi San Grato: immediately before thejunction between the provincial street SP16and the national road Via Emilia

REST STOPSVilla Pompeiana: rest area near the PuntoParco Add Sud Tavazzano: rest area in locality “Le Zelasche”little past Tavazzano Lodi: rest area near the bridge over theMuzza between Lodi and Lodi Vecchio


> ROUTE 4 _

DIRECTIONS• From the Casa dell’Acqua in Paullo ridealong Via Buonarroti towards the centre ofPaullo and take Via Milano (mind the mo-torized traffic!). Go to the end of Via Milanoand then proceed straight ahead along ViaPasubio towards Zelo Buon Persico. Past the

cemetery of Paullo, take the bicycle pathPaullo-Zelo on the right-hand side and fol-low it as far as the third roundabout, wherewe turn right into Viale Europa in the direc-tion of Lodi (3 Km). Ride along Viale Europaand proceed along Via Risorgimento as faras the roundabout where the bicycle path

towards Montanaso and Lodi starts on theright-hand side, along the main road SP16.• Proceeding towards the hamlet ofMignete, a very short detour (1km) leads tothe ancient rural village of Casolate. Ride back to the bicycle path along the SP16,and proceed as far as the hamlet of Mignete,

Cascina Muzzetta with its beautiful portico façade. Remains of the ancient Lake Gerundo

The Santuario of Arcagna

33

where the bicycle path stops. Keep to the right,leaving the SP16 on the left, and proceedthrough the village. • At the end of the village a grade separationon the left-hand side will let you cross the SP16and resume the bicycle path that at this pointruns on the left side of the road and besidethe remains of the ancient Lake Gerundo, nowalmost entirely drained away. • Cross the rest area near the Punto Parco

Adda Sud and reach the roundabout in VillaPompeiana (about km 7.5). At this point, thosewho are willing to make an interesting detourmay visit the nearby Parco Ittico Paradiso (parkwith lakes stocked with various species of fish).• Our route instead goes on along the bicyclepath, crosses Galgagnano and Bellaria and leadsto the roundabout in Arcagna, where we couldmake another nice diversion (on the left) tovisit the Santuario della Madonna Assunta,

Rest area near the Punto Parco Adda Sud in Villa Pompeiana Crossing of Viale Milano (National Road SS Emilia) in San Grato

which is only a few hundreds metres distantfrom the bicycle path. Proceed along the bicycle path towards Lodi,passing near the famous “Gabon” (age-old elm,with nearby rest area and drinking fountain),cross the Belgiardino canal over a woodenbridge, leaving the village of Montanaso on theleft and reaching the village of San Grato, ham-let of Lodi (drinking fountain on the right)where the fenced bicycle path ends.

35

• Reach the traffic lights at the junction withold Via Emilia now Via Milano (km 14.5) andcross it. Take Via Cavalieri di Vittorio Venetoand continue until the junction with Via delCimitero is reached. Here turn right andproceed straight ahead, taking the dirt roadthat through a grade separation crosses therailway Milano-Roma and ends at the junc-tion with Via del Sandone (locality San Fere-olo), with a short slope.• Here turn right (NB!!! This is a one-wayroad for cars only, but bicycles may proceed

in the wrong way) and after passing underthe ring road Tangenziale Sud of Lodi, crossthe roundabout and take the bicycle pathtowards Lodi Vecchio (about km 16).• Attention please!!! When crossing theMuzza Canal, the bicycle path runs under thebridge of the main road SP115 and over-passes the canal across the old bridge (seepicture).• At the beginning of the bridge follow thebicycle path downhill on the left-hand sideof the bridge, turn right sharply and ride

under the bridge, then uphill and then leftinto the old bridge. Past the bridge, turnsharply left along the towpath. Ride againunder the bridge along the SP115 and thenturn right to reach a paved road. Here weturn right and follow it as far as we can re-sume our bicycle path along the main roadSP115. Ride straight ahead as far as the farm-stead Cascina Lavagna, where we ride intothe old road that leads directly to the Basil-ica di San Bassiano, at this point already visi-ble in the distance (Km 22 approx).

The bridge before Lodi Vecchio The Muzza little past the “Napoleon” bridge

• Ride back to Paullo along the sameroute, reversing these instructions.As an alternative we can make it about 5km shorter, with the following diversion,along the Muzza Canal first, and then alongthe Belgiardino Canal.• Ride along the bicycle path backwards asfar as the bridge over the Muzza Canal.Ride down to the Canal and follow the di-

rections towards “Le Zelasche”, ridingalong the canal itself.• Pass under the grade separation acrossthe railway (be careful! In case of rainthere might be large puddles), cross theMuzza Canal and, past an old collapsedchurch, turn left, always following the di-rections towards “Le Zelasche”. • Near the farmstead Cascina Zelasche

Locality “Le Zelasche”

turn right and then left into the paved roadthat leads to an overpass that crosses thenational road SS9 “Via Emilia”. At the endof the slope downhill, turn right into theroad that leads to the Power Plant ofTavazzano, and when you reach its coolingcanal (Belgiardino Canal) turn right andfollow it.

• Ride along the canal until you reachthe main road that connects Lodi withZelo Buon Persico (SP16). Cross it and

turn left towards the pedestrian bridge.At this point we have resumed the orig-inal route and we are riding back to

Paullo. Proceed until you get to the Casadell’Acqua.

A: Crossing National Road SS9 - B: Junction between the two routes

37

The Muzza between Paullo and Quartiano

POINTS OF INTERESTZelo Buon Persico: - Ice-house of early XIX century. From Piazza

Italia, turn into Via Lombardia. After a fewmetres you will reach the remains of an an-cient ice-house (now in total neglect), oneof the last examples of rural architecture ofthis kind in our territory. Formerly ownedby the Real-Estate Agency of the OspedaleMaggiore, the building is characterized bythe spherical cap made of cotto bricks.

Casolate:- Ancient rural village, first quoted in a docu-

ment of 1147, today has only 15 inhabitants.In 1488 the duke of Milan Francesco Sforzaestablished his headquarter in Casolate, dur-ing the war against the Republic of Venice.

Mignete:- Oratorio S. Michele: small church dating

back to XII century, now transformed intoa Punto Parco Adda Sud. Rest area with aplayground for children.

Arcagna:- Santuario della Madonna Assunta- “Gabon” (age-old elm with nearby votive kiosk)Lodi Vecchio: - The Basilica of San Bassiano, dating back to

year 300, is the only building that survivedthe destruction perpetrated by the Milanarmy in 1158. San Bassiano (Saint Bassian)is the patron saint of Lodi.

Lodi Vecchio: Basilica of San Bassiano

39

AZIENDA AGRICOLA LA CAGNOLAShopping in the Farm

Address: Azienda Agricola LA CAGNOLA,C.na Cagnola – GalgagnanoPhone : +39 334 2949746Produce: meat, fresh and matured cold cuts.Open times: Thursday 14.30 – 19.00. Friday and Saturday 9.30 – 12.30 and 14.30 – 19.00

DID YOU KNOW?The ancient name of Lodi Vecchio was LausPompeia, to honour Gneo Pompeo Strabone,father of Pompeo Magno. In 1111 the military troops of Milan, besiegedthe town and razed it to the ground. In 1158the Milanesi burned the remains of the townand Laus was completely destroyed. In 1158emperor Frederick Redbeard decided to re-build Laus a few kilometres farther, on the topof Colle Eghezzone and founded the newtown: Laus Nova, today called Lodi.


TRATTORIA GIUPPONI Via Lodi 13, Zelo Buon Persico (hamlet Mignete) Tel: +39029065012

TRATTORIA WILLIAM’SZelo Buon Persico (hamlet Casolate) Tel: +39 029065013

TRATTORIA DA RENATOVia Dante, Zelo Buon PersicoTel. +39029065268

BAR BIANCHIVia Monzasca 2, GalgagnanoTel +39 037168371(open also on Sundays)

cyc l ing between


5THE FONTANILE OASIS

AND THE STREET OF THE DUKE

Easy cycling route, suitable for families, withmany nature and landscape attractions, fromPunto Parco Casa dell’Acqua in Paullo to thetown park “Oasi del Fontanile” in Pantigliate,along the wonderful Street of the Duke be-tween Rodano and Pantigliate.

TECHNICAL SHEETStarting and finishing point: PaulloDistance: approx 30km round tripTotal ascent: negligible Grade: easyRoad surface: 15% dirt road, well kept, 85%asphalt, along bicycle paths and secondaryroads. Avoid main road SP161 in rush hours.Recommended type of bike: road or hybrid

WATER SOURCES Drinking fountains:Paullo: at the beginning of the route, at theParco San Tarcisio Pantigliate: at the Oasi del Fontanile Lucino hamlet of Rodano: in the playgroundbeside the Museum of Lambretta

REST STOPSPremenugo: town park


> ROUTE 5 _

43

DIRECTIONS• From the Casa dell’Acqua in Paullo ridealong Via Buonarroti towards the centreof Paullo and take Via Milano (mind themotorized traffic!); cycle ahead along thisstreet as far as the crossroads with ViaManzoni on the left-hand side. Turn leftinto Via Manzoni.Cover the whole street (about 1.300 me-tres) reaching the junction with nationalroad “Paullese” (SS415). Ride past the traf-fic lights towards Conterico.

• Follow the paved road as far as the ham-let of Conterico and cross the bridge overthe Muzza Canal. Proceed along the mainroad SP 161, paying attention to the mo-torised traffic, even though it is negligible.Near the Cascina Cassinetta there aresome fields that deserve a visit, as they arestill cultivated with the “marcita” tech-nique, turn left into a dir t road, leaving themain road for a while.

The bridge over the Muzza Canal in Conterico Casa dell’Acqua in Paullo

DID YOU KNOW?The “marcita” (water meadow) is an agricul-tural technique typical of the Pianura Padanathat consists of irrigating the fields with thewater pouring off from the “fontanili” (or “risor-give”) all year round. Fontanili are typical watersprings, where the ground water surfaces andspills out across the fields. The water stream-ing out of the fontanili, which has an averagetemperature of about 10°C, is channelled in away that lets it overflow and cover the fields,in order to prevent them freezing, and thus al-lowing as many as nine forage cuts per year.

A small signpost indicates the Museum in Cascina Castello.

In the background: Cascina Castello with its battlements The curve along the main road, where the Street of the Duke starts

the Punto Parco Cascina Castello, fortifiedfarmstead of the XV century.• Once back on the main road, a series ofcurves leads to a T-junction. Follow the di-rections to Lucino.• When the road curves right towards thebuilt-up area, leave it and turn left onto adirt road with a border of trees along thepath. We are pedalling along the beautifulStreet of the Duke, between two never-ending rows of trees, side by side with theNatural Reserve Sorgenti della Muzzetta.

• Follow the dir t road, which first curvesright and then leads to the paved countryroad “Conterico” and then ride ahead asfar as you reach the paved main road thatwe left near Cascina Cassinetta.• A few hundreds meters, and we get tothe traffic lights that mark the junction withmain road SP39 “Cerca”. Cross the junc-tion and enter the built-up area of Settala.Cover Via Trento, Via Roma and Via CampoSportivo (where the bicycle path runsupon the sidewalk) and reach the hamlet

of Premenugo, with its vast and well-equipped town park. • Turn left into Via Piave and, past theChurch, turn right into Via Milano, and fol-low it as far as the roundabout, where wecross Viale delle Industrie and its heavytraffic flow.• Proceed straight ahead along the mainroad “former SP161” in the direction of Lu-cino. After 300 metres, on the right curve,a small hand-written signpost indicated aninteresting and not-to-be-missed detour to

45

The Punto Parco Cascina Castello (XV sec.) Some of the tools which can be seen at the rural museum in Cascina Castello.

• Proceed leaving on your left side theentrance of the Natural Reserve and rideahead as far as a crossing. Turn right andreach Cascina Crosina. Cross the lovelygroup of farmsteads (Crosina and Rover-

bella) and reach once again a paved road(Via D’Annunzio), turn left and enter intoPantigliate.• Ride into Via G. Marconi just in front ofus. Between Via Gramsci and Via San Mar-

tino you will find the directions to theOasi del Fontanile. • Ride back to Paullo along the same route.

POINTS OF INTERESTSettala:- Punto Parco Cascina Castello, rural build-

ing still active. It is the head-office of theEthnographic Centre of Rural Arts andTraditions.

Rodano:- Botanical Centre of Casa Gola, structure

with educational and scientific purposes inthe botanical field. Casa Gola is in the mainsquare in the hamlet of Lucino, facing theRodano town hall. Piazza 4 Novembre, Tel.+39 02 88463289

- Museum of the Scooter and of Lambretta,the only one of its kind in Europe, a uniqueand valuable collection with 110 scootermodels from all over the world, repre-senting the scooter production of theworld’s most industrialized countries. ViaTurati 7, Tel. +39 02 95320438(http://www.museoscooter.it/)

Rodano and Settala:- Regional Reserve Sorgenti della Muzzetta is

an EU-registered site of environmental in-terest, with the largest “fontanile” in theProvincia di Milano, formed by three foun-tainheads fed by several water springs. Thereserve can be visited contacting DomenicoBarboni (+390295320106, [email protected]) or ADM (+390288463337,[email protected]).

Cascina Castello’s enclosed court

DID YOU KNOW?For those who love animals and nature, theOasi del Fontanile well deserves a visit: horses,donkeys, geese, ducks, swans, deer, ostrichesand more... Do you know what the purpose of the rec-tangular pool in the middle of the Oasis orig-inally was? Ask the volunteers...

47

Contact:Associazione culturale “il fontanile”[email protected]

The main building of the farmstead CascinaCastello is the head-office of the Ethno-graphic Centre of Rural Arts and Traditions.The building dates back to 1300 and is char-acterized by a small palace with a portico onthe ground floor, with pointed arches sup-ported by stone columns surmounted byoriginal capitals. In 1800 the feather battle-ments were added. Cascina Castello as a farmstead is still activeand productive. The museum, with its collec-tion of tools and objects of the rural tradi-tions, is one of the most interesting inLombardy.

CASCINA ROVERBELLAGreen RestaurantC.na Roverbella 20090 PANTIGLIATE (MI)+39 02 9067682http://www.tenutaroverbella.it/

Contact :FERMO [email protected]

Farmhouse with restaurant, meeting roomsand cultural initiatives, lounge and vast gar-den for open-air parties. Horse-drawn car-riage, archery field, Golf. Project: new spacesfor rural hospitality, cultural activities, flowergardening, and activities with horses.

PUNTO PARCO CASCINA CASTELLOParco Agricolo Sud MilanoVia Cascina Castello, Settala (MI)+39 02 95320002

Train Bar in Lucino

Some “guests” of the Oasis’ zoo


DA PIPPO A CASSIGNANICAP.zza Paolo Grassi, Rodano (hamlet Cassignanica) Tel. +39 0295328016e-mail: [email protected]

BAR VITALIP.zza 4 Novembre, Rodano (hamlet Lucino) Tel. +39 0295320434

BAR IL TRENINOVia Turati, Rodano (hamlet Lucino) Tel. +39 3491843517

cyc l ing between


6THE MEDICEO CASTLE

IN MELEGNANO

Easy cycling route suitable for families, withmany historical and lanscape interest points,from Punto Parco Casa dell’Acqua in Paulloto the Mediceo Castle in Melegnano.

TECHNICAL SHEETStarting and finishing point: PaulloDistance: approx 30km round tripTotal ascent: negligible Grade: easyRoad surface: 50% dirt road, 50% asphalt,along bicycle paths and secondary roads(as far as Melegnano, where we will cover avery short stretch along the national road“Via Emilia”, mainly along a sidewalk).Recommended type of bike: road or hybrid

WATER SOURCES Drinking fountains:Tribiano: in the courtyard of the MunicipalHouse.

REST STOPSMulazzano: town park, Viale dei PlataniVizzolo Predabissi: rest area with bar at thecrossroads between Via Pandina and ViaVerdi

MECHANICAL ASSISTANCEBicycle shop “F.lli Denti” Via Turati, Paullo (closed on Sundays).

> ROUTE 6 _

51

DIRECTIONS• With the Casa dell’Acqua di Paullo be-hind you, turn right and take Via Buonar-roti. Attention please! This is a one-wayroad and we must walk pushing our bikes.Past 200 metres, at the end of Via Buonar-roti, take the bicycle path on the left, to-wards Tribiano.

• Proceed along the bicycle path almostas far as the end of Via Edison, where thebicycle path turns left leaving Via Edisonon the right. Travel ahead along this path,alongside the Addetta Canal and into VialePiave, until you reach the junction be-tween the road you are on and Via Um-berto I. Turn left and cross the pedestrian

bridge on your left (remains of a for tifiedgrange on the left).• Past the bridge, turn right into Via 24Maggio and cover it until you find thestar ting point of the bicycle path on theleft-hand side of the road, which leads tothe Municipal building of Tribiano.

Oven in cotto bricks in Lanzano From Paullo to Tribiano

• Cycle ahead past the municipal building andturn left into the municipal road SC704 in thedirection of the hamlets of San Barbaziano andLanzano, which we cross along Via Roma. Pro-ceed along the municipal road SC704.Cycle ahead past an ancient bread ovenstanding on the right-hand side of the road

and proceed along the narrow paved roadwe are on, pedalling among irrigation ditchesand dykes. Leave on your right the ancientfarmstead Tenuta Virolo and reach the out-skirts of Mulazzano.• Enter the village and turn right at the firsttraffic lights, into Via dei Platani. At the second

Tribiano: fortified rural building (XIV century) Municipal Road SC704 with the Tenuta Virolo in the background

crossroads turn right again into Via Pandina. Travel past the cemetery, turn into its carpark and cross it to come out on the Pand-ina Bicycle Path, which we will follow turningright in the direction of Dresano and VizzoloPredabissi.

53

• The beautiful bicycle path stretches outstraight ahead in front of us and will lead us asfar as the locality Madonnina-Villaggio Am-brosiamo, which we cross to proceed in thedirection of Vizzolo and Melegnano. At the traf-fic lights in Vizzolo (don’t miss visiting the an-cient farmstead Cascina Sarmazzano with ashort detour on the right, see also points of in-

terest below) the bicycle path continues onthe left hand side of the road, where anotherinteresting detour leads to the Church of SantaMaria (see points of interest below). Proceedleaving the Hospital of your left and reach theroundabout that connects the Via Pandina withthe provincial road Cerca in Melegnano. • Cross the junction at the traffic lights (don’t

forget to press the button!), take Via Turati andturn right along the national road SS9 “ViaEmilia”, one of busiest roads in Italy. Don’t panic!Only 100 metres to go and we will resume thebicycle path and follow it for approx another 100metres stretch, as far as the traffic light near thecemetery, where we cross the SS9 and enterMelegnano along Via Battisti and Via Dezza.

The small church of S.Antonio Abate Santa Maria in Calvenzano (Vizzolo)

• Follow Via Dezza as far as the bridgeover the Lambro River and reach thecrossroads before the church, where we

turn left into Via Conciliazione. Few metresto go and you’ll see the massive profile ofthe Mediceo Castle.

Piazza della Vittoria with the Castle in the background (Melegnano) Melegnano

• Travel back along the same route, revers-ing these instructions.

Mediceo Castle

55

POINTS OF INTERESTMelegnano:- Castello Mediceo; built in 1243 by the

Podestà of Milano, Cattellano Carbone,the castle of Melegnano is one of the mostsignificant monuments of Lombardy’s lateMiddle Age. It belonged to several com-manders (Bernabò Visconti, FrancescoSforza, Gian Giacomo De’ Medici) who lefttheir mark with different structuralchanges. Beautiful frescoes dating back to‘500 decorate the magnificent functionrooms.

- Parco delle Noci: former dumping groundand railway construction site, today thispark is an urban oasis approx 40.000 m2

large. Visits can be booked calling theWWF Sud Milanese (tel. +39 025230386).

- Oasis of Montorfano: this equipped urbanoasis was designed as a site of naturaliza-tion to face urban decay of an area at theconfluence between the Lambro Riverand the Vettabbia Canal. This project in-cludes the recreation of a typical forest en-vironment. The WWF Sud Milanese leadsguided tours. Tel. +39 02 5230386.

Vizzolo Predabissi:- Cascina Sarmazzano, fortified farmstead

with nearby small church with a classicalfaçade, dedicated to St.Anthony, protectorof cattle farmers and healer.This buildingwas built in late ‘800 on the remains of anolder oratorio, dedicated to Saints Gerva-sio and Protasio.

- Church of Santa Maria in Calvenzano. Ex-tremely beautiful Romanic building, with alate 1400 façade and an ancient medievalportal carved with scenes of the VirginMary’s life and Jesus’ childhood.

One of the magnificent rooms of the Mediceo Castle

DID YOU KNOW?As the patron saint of the cattle farmers, inLombardy St.Anthony was called “St.Anthonyof the Pigs”. In fact he is often representedwith a pig. Look at the façade of the smallchurch in Sarmazzano to prove it!St. Anthony is celebrated on Jan 17th, withlarge bonfires which have a purifying and fer-tilizing meaning and mark the transition fromthe dark winter days to spring.

57

Contact :[email protected]

The Punto Parco Rocca Brivio has a culturalvocation, mainly due to its prestigious loca-tion. Being a cultural centre means raisingthe attention on the relationship betweenman and the territory he lives in: the plainaround the Rocca is a treasure chest ofmonuments and manufacts that tell us ourhistory and the history of our landscape. ThePunto Parco Polo Culturale Rocca Brivio of-fers: initiatives to discover the territory, ac-tivities to enjoy nature, other projects toknow the culture of this territory and theParco Agricolo Sud Milano, exhibitions, con-ferences and guided tours.

CASCINA SANTA BRERAGreen B&BC.na S. Brera Grande 20098 San Giuliano (MI)+39 02 9838752www.cascinasantabrera.it

Contact :IRENE DI [email protected]

Organic Farm. Retail of: eggs, honey, fruit etc...Shared vegetable garden. B&B with 30 bedsalso in furnished apartments. Spaces for chil-dren, picnic area. Guided tours, education foradults, and school of sustainability, practicalcourses and labs.

PUNTO PARCO ROCCA BRIVIOParco Agricolo Sud MilanoVia Rocca Brivio 10, 20098 San Giuliano (MI)+39 02 98128321www.roccabrivio.it

TENUTA VIROLOShopping in the Farm

Az.Agricola Cascina VIROLOVia per Lanzano, Mulazzano (LO)

Open on: sat afternoon and upon request(please call +39 335 6318403)+39 02 989044 - www.tenutavirolo.it/

Contatti:[email protected]

The Virolo estate has ancient origins and iscomposed by a large group of buildings (itwas first mentioned in the cadastre Teresianowith a cow shed, farmhouse, cheese factoryand shed) and its 140 hectares of arable landall around it. Today to the traditional farm-ing activity (low environmental impact culti-vation of cereals, fruit and vegetables)alongside the cultivation of hard wood, di-dactic activity and the direct sale of own pro-duce. Virolo is particularly suitable forschools rural tourism and any recreationalactivity such as walks, bird watching or natu-ralistic photography. The farmstead has beenrestored and it can accommodate banquets,conventions, or rural parties.


B&B B&GVia Piave 19, MelegnanoTel. +39 02 9832017http://www.bb-gg.net/

PASTICCERIA&CAFFETTERIA SIL-VIAVia Pandina 2, MulazzanoTel. +39 02 98875298 (closed on Sun. afternoon and Mon.)

PIZZERIA DAMINVia Lago di Garda 2, MulazzanoTel. +39 02 989434 (always open)

BAR BALLETTIP.zza Puccini 22, Vizzolo PredabissiTel. +39 02 9835353

CAFFETTERIA PASTICCERIAVia Piave 1, MelegnanoTel. +39 0298127160 closed on Mon

RISTORANTE PIZZERIA DA LUCAVia Turati 15, MelegnanoTel. +39 02 98855654 Always open (12-14:30, 18:30-23:30)

CAFFE’ VITTORIAP.zza Vittoria, MelegnanoTel. +39 02 98235394 (Closed on Mon.)

PANINOGIALLO “UNTO”Via Dezza 49, MelegnanoTel. +39 338 88 48 521

cyc l ing between


7SACRED AND PROFANE

IN ALTO LODIGIANO

Here is another short and easy route suit-able for everybody. From Punto Parco Casadell’Acqua di Paullo many historical sites canbe reached, such as the Santuario di SanGiovanni in Merlino, the Borromeo Castle inCorneliano Bertario, Villa Pertusati in Co-mazzo and Palazzo Carcassola Grugni inMarzano. Part of this route covers the MuzzaGreenway.

TECHNICAL SHEETStarting and finishing point: PaulloDistance: approx 25km round tripTotal ascent: negligible Grade: easyRoad surface: 25% dirt road along atowpath, 75% asphalt, mainly along bicyclepaths, the rest along secondary roads. Inthe stretch along the Muzza towpath, it isrecommended to keep the children on theouter side, with adults alongside them,since there are some dangerous pointswith no fence.Recommended type of bike: road orhybrid.

WATER SOURCES Drinking fountains:Paullo: at the beginning of the route, at theParco San Tarcisio (Via Manzoni).

REST STOPS-

MECHANICAL ASSISTANCEBicycle shop “F.lli Denti” Via Turati, Paullo(closed on Sundays).

> ROUTE 7 _

San Giovanni al Calandrone in Merlino

Palazzo Carcassola Grugni in Marzano

61

DIRECTIONS• From the Casa dell’Acqua in Paullo, ridealong Via Buonarroti towards the centre ofPaullo and take Via Milano (mind the mo-torized traffic!). Cover Via Milano and pro-ceed straight ahead along Via Pasubiotowards Zelo Buon Persico. Past the ceme-tery of Paullo, take the bicycle path Paullo-Zelo on the right-hand side and follow itas far as the junction with Via Miglioli,where we turn left, then right into Via Sac-chi. Turn left into Via 8 Marzo and then intoVia Cavour and reach the junction be-tween the road you are on and the na-tional road SS415 Paullese.• Past the SS415 “Paullese”, proceed in thedirection of Merlino, cross the roundaboutand take the bicycle path on the left-handside, which leads to Merlino. From here,after 300 metres turn right into Via SanGiovanni and reach the Sanctuary of SanGiovanni along a dir t road.• Cycle back to the Municipal building ofMerlino, where we turn right into Via Romain the direction of the hamlet Vaiano diMerlino (SP181).• Immediately before the village, take adirt road on the left and reach the MuzzaCanal towpath.• Turn right into the towpath and ride

ahead along the canal until you get to apoint near the hamlet of Lavagna, wherethe dir t road ends. Go ahead along themain road SP102 on the left-hand side forabout 100 meters, cross the main roadSP101, resume the dir t road along theMuzza and proceed as far as Cascina Cas-tiona, where we turn right into the dir troad that leads to Corneliano Bertario andto the Borromeo Castle.• Proceed along the paved road SP201(leaving the castle on the left-hand side)towards Comazzo (Villa Pertusati).Upon leaving Comazzo, take the bicyclepath that runs alongside the main roadSP201 as far as the hamlet of Marzano diMerlino (Palazzo Carcassola Grugni). • Proceed along the SP201 until theroundabout. Turn left towards Zelo BuonPersico, cross the national road SS415“Paullese” and then ride back to Paullo fol-lowing the same route reversing these in-structions.

POINTS OF INTERESTMerlino:- Sanctuary of San Giovanni al “Calan-

drone”: it is situated not far from the cen-tre of Merlino and it is the destination ofan annual pilgrimage. The first mention ofthis church dates back to the XIII centuryand can be seen in a parchment paperkept in the files of the Mensa Vescovile inLodi. Calandrone is the name of the smallditch that once flew beside the sanctuarywalls.

Corneliano Bertario: - Castello Borromeo: built in XV century, it

overlooks the piazza of the ancient village,which has maintained its medieval fascina-tion. The Castle can only be visited afterbooking.

Comazzo:- Palazzo Pertusati, built in 1747 in a mag-

nificent position upon the Adda terrace byCristoforo Pertusati, milanese nobleman inthe service of Eugenio di Savoia. The build-ing has a classical “U” layout, with closingwings forming the courtyard. Today it ismunicipal building. In ‘800 the parish priestof Comazzo ordered the mutilation of themarble nymphs in the garden, because

they were deemed outrageous. - Mouths of Vacchelli Canal (they can be

reached with a short detour to localityMarzano-Bocchi): remarkable hydraulicwork that feeds the Vacchelli Canal withwater from the Adda River.

Marzano:- Palazzo Carcassola-Grugni, outstanding

building at the entrance of the hamlet ofMarzano. Built in late ‘500 and initiallyowned by the noble Carcassola family, thePalazzo is now owned by the Grugni fam-ily, who opens its doors to the public onlyfor guided tours.

Cascina Castiona The Muzza in Lavagna with its beautiful poplars belt.

DID YOU KNOW?San Giovanni al Calandrone is the only sanc-tuary in Lombardy dedicated to a Saint andnot to the Virgin Mary.

The Muzza Canal before Lavagna

Among fields and waters

Comazzo: Palazzo Pertusati with the remains of the Italian-style garden

63

CASCINA DI MEZZOGreen B&BC.na Di Mezzo 20060 LISCATE (MI)+39 02 95350372www.cascinadimezzo.it

Contact :SUSANNA, ELENA, ROBERTO PIROLA,[email protected]

Farm guesthouse with restaurant (80 seats),B&B (6 beds), vast garden and lounge. Re-tail of: cold cuts, cakes, home-made pasta,jam and more. Playground for children.Guided tours for guests.

AZIENDA AGRICOLATAVERNAGIOVANNAShopping in the Farm

Azienda Agricola TAVERNA GIOVANNALocalità Molino Molgora (strada F.ne Lavagna/Truccazzano), Comazzo+39 02 9061219

Produce: meat of our own farm-raised beef.Open times: Sat. 8.00 – 18.00Accommodation and Food


RISTORANTE MERLINOVia Roma 42, MerlinoTel. +39 0290659490

TRATTORIA VIGNOLAVia Cassinello 10, Corneliano B. Tel. +39 0295309327

TRATTORIA LA VILLETTAVia Lago Gerundo 27, Corneliano B. tel +39029083702

TRATTORIA PIZZERIA DEI PLATANIVia Cavour 12, ComazzoTel. +39 029061010

BIRRERIA PUB ANTICO & MODERNOVia Roma 42, ComazzoTel. +39 0290615028

TRATTORIA DEL SOLEVia Roma 30, - ComazzoTel. +39 02 9061055

TRATTORIA BOCCHIVia Leopardi 1, - ComazzoTel. +39 02 9061038

TRATTORIA CACCIATORI DA GINO E TERESAVia 4 Novembre 27, - MarzanoTel. +39 02 90658967

cyc l ing between


8THE CARENGIONE AND THE CASTLE

OF PESCHIERA BORROMEO

This cycling route of average grade is ex-tremely interesting from an historical andnatural standpoint, as it develops from thePunto Parco Casa dell’Acqua di Paullo to theBorromeo Castle of Peschiera Borromeo,crossing the Carengione, a natural area offorests and fields, crossed by irrigationditches and springs and dedicated to recre-ational enjoyment.

TECHNICAL SHEETStarting and finishing point: PaulloDistance: approx 40km round tripTotal ascent: negligible Grade: averageRoad surface: 30% dirt road, 70% asphalt,along bicycle paths and secondary roadsRecommended type of bike: road or hybrid

WATER SOURCES ALONG THEROUTEDrinking fountains:Paullo: at the beginning of the route, at theParco San Tarcisio (via Manzoni)Tribiano: in the courtyard of the Municipalbuilding Lucino, hamlet of Rodano: near theplayground beside the Museum ofLambretta

REST STOPSPeschiera Borromeo (Bettola): Parco dellaPace, Via MatteottiPremenugo: town park


> ROUTE 8 _

67

Access to the area before the Castle The “risorgiva” inside the Carengione Exit from Paullo

DIRECTIONS• Upon leaving the cour tyard of the“Casa dell’Acqua”, turn right into ViaBuonarroti (Attention please! This is aone-way road and we must walk pushingour bikes. Past 200 metres, at the end ofVia Buonarroti, take the bicycle path onthe left, towards Tribiano.Proceed along the bicycle path almost as faras the end of Via Edison, where the bicyclepath turns left leaving Via Edison on the right.Proceed into the path on the left, alongside

the Addetta Canal and the into Viale Piave,until you reach the junction between theroad you are on and Via Umberto I. Turn leftand cross the pedestrian bridge on your left(remains of a fortified grange on the left).• Past the bridge, turn right into Via 24 Mag-gio and cover it until you find the startingpoint of the bicycle path on the left-handside of the road, which leads to the Munici-pal building of Tribiano.Past the Municipal building of Tribiano, pro-ceed as far as the junction between the road

you are on and the main road SC704. At thispoint follow the bicycle path, which leads tothe opposite side of the road.As we ride nearby the golf green of Zoate,a beautiful tree lined road leads us to thebridge over the Addetta Canal. Past thebridge, turn left into the municipal road SC705 which in Zoate is the same as ViaRossini. From the bridge, with a short detour wecan give a quick look at the nice medievalvillage of Zoate.

• Cover Via Rossini as far as the main roadSP39 “Cerca”, turn right and then left to-wards the hamlet Bustighera (be carefulwhen you cross the “Cerca” as this is a busyroad at all times!)• Pass Bustighera along Via della Libertà,reach Triginto (hamlet of Mediglia) and pro-ceed straight ahead into Via Di Vittorio. InTriginto our route crosses Via Roma. A shortdetour on the left, along Via Roma, will leadus to an ancient ice-house. • Once we have retraced our steps, coverVia Roma backwards and reach the Piazzadella Chiesa. At this point turn left and thenright into the bicycle path in the direction ofRobbiano (hamlet of Mediglia).• The bicycle path runs alongside the mainroad SP159 “Bettola – Sordio” as far as Rob-biano, hamlet of Mediglia. Ride through thebuilt-up area of Robbiano along Via Grandiand then Via Fratelli Cervi.• At the end of Via Fratelli Cervi turn rightand resume the bicycle path along theprovincial street SP159 (Via Melegnano) asfar as the large roundabout, which must becrossed at the traffic lights.• Past the roundabout we are in PeschieraBorromeo where, proceeding along the bi-cycle path, we ride into Via Moro and pedalas far as the next traffic lights. At this pointcross the junction keeping the left side (bi-

cycle path shared with pedestrians) andcover Via Matteotti as far as the junctionwith Via 25 Aprile.At the traffic lights cross the junction turnright into the bicycle path in the direction ofMezzate, hamlet of Peschiera Borromeo.Once in Mezzate turn right into Via della Re-sistenza and cover this road as far as thejunction with Via Turati, where we turn right.When the asphalt ends, proceed straightahead along the dirt road of Mezzate. Follow the dirt road keeping the right sidewhen road forks and after crossing the damparea of the Carengione, reach the junctionbetween the dirt road and Via Lombardia(paved road). Cross the junction and pro-ceed along the dirt road on the oppositeside.Past the farmstead Cascina Fiorano (bewareof the dogs!) turn right and follow this roaduntil we get to the paved Via Lombardia,where we proceed straight ahead as far asPiazza Pizzini in Mirazzano.

A: Bustighera, B: Triginto

69

• Past the piazza, turn left into Via SanCarlo Borromeo which leads to thehomonymous Castle, surrounded by a ro-mantic moat. • After a glance at the castle, ride back-wards as far as the corner in the surround-ing wall and turn right into a dir t road(Strada Vicinale della Pestazza) which runs

along the perimeter of the park surround-ing the castle.• Proceed in the same direction, ignoring afork on the left and a farmstead on theright-hand side. Soon after the dir t roadbends left, turn right into another dirt roadand, past Cascina Panzone, reach the junc-tion of the dirt road you are on, with Via

Monza, which connects Cassignanica withRodano-Millepini.• At this point turn left into the paved roadand reach the roundabout from which a bi-cycle path starts of the left, which leads toLucino (hamlet of Rodano) leaving thefarmstead Cascina Briavacca on the left.

MIRAZZANOCASTELLO

PESCHIERABORROMEO

Bridge over the Muzza in Conterico

• Cross the built up area along Via Roma, rid-ing alongside of the football field. As far as thecemetery turn right into the road that will leadus to the junction with the former ProvincialRoad 161, which we will follow on the righthand side, until we reach the roundabout ofPremenugo.• Enter the village along Via Milano and Viale

Piave and then turn right into Via CampoSportivo, following this roads far as Settala(the side walk on the left may be used a bi-cycle path).Cover Via Roma, reach the piazza and proceedalong Via Trento as long as the traffic lights onthe junction with the main road SP39 “Cerca”.Cross the junction and proceed into the main

road SP 161 in the direction of Paullo.• Cross the traffic lights on the provincial roadSP415 “Paullese” and enter the built up area ofPaullo. Cover Via Manzoni, then right into ViaDe Gasperi, left into Via Ronco, right into ViaD’Acquisto, left into Via F.lli Cervi, right into ViaMilano and finally ride into Via Buonarroti toreach the Casa dell’Acqua.

71

POINTS OF INTERESTPeschiera Borromeo:- Castello Borromeo: the castle is located

near the historical hamlet Mirazzano. Itwas built in 1437 by Vitaliano Borromeo. Ithas a square layout and is surrounded bya moat. It is a private property.

- Carengione is a 23 hectare area of tradi-tional Lombard countryside with its rep-resentative landscape. This meanswell-watered crops and uncultivated fieldsbordered by thick rows of hygrophilousplants. The area counts several springs anda vast network of irrigation ditches thatare still used to irrigate.

Settala:- Punto Parco Cascina Castello, rural build-

ing still active. It is the head-office of theEthnographic Centre of Rural Arts andTraditions.

Rodano:- Botanical Centre of Casa Gola, structure

with educational and scientific purposes inthe botanical field. Casa Gola is in the mainsquare in the hamlet of Lucino, facing theRodano town hall. Piazza IV Novembre,Tel. +39 02 88463289

- Museum of the Scooter and of Lambretta,the only one of its kind in Europe, a uniqueand valuable collection with 110 scooter

models from all over the world, repre-senting the scooter production of theworld’s most industrialized countries. ViaTurati 7, Tel. +39 02 95320438(http://www.museoscooter.it/)

Rodano and Settala:- Regional Reserve Sorgenti della Muzzetta

is an EU-registered site of environmentalinterest, with the largest “fontanile” in theProvincia di Milano, formed by three foun-tainheads fed by several water springs. Thereserve can be visited by contactingDomenico Barboni (+390295320106,[email protected]) or ADM(+390288463337, [email protected]).

Contact :Associazione culturale “il fontanile”[email protected]

The main building of the farmstead CascinaCastello is the head-office of the Ethno-graphic Centre of Rural Arts and Traditions.The building dates back to 1300 and is char-acterized by a small palace with a portico onthe ground floor, with pointed arches sup-ported by stone columns surmounted byoriginal capitals. In 1800 the feather battle-ments were added. Cascina Castello as afarmstead is still active and productive. Themuseum, with its collection of tools and ob-jects of the rural traditions, is one of themost interesting in Lombardy.

PUNTO PARCO CASCINA CASTELLOParco Agricolo Sud MilanoVia Cascina Castello, Settala (MI)+39 02 95320002


LOCANDA CORTE GRANDE Via Umberto I 2, TribianoTel. +39029064080e-mail: [email protected]

TRATTORIA DEL CASTELLOVia S. Carlo Borromeo 1220068 Peschiera BorromeoTel. +39 025470160

HOSTERIA IL CASTELLETTOVia 25 Aprile 17, Peschiera Borromeo Tel. +39 02 547 0022

ANTICA TRATTORIAMIRAZZANOVia F. Sforza 14Peschiera Borromeo (Mirazzano)Tel. +39 02.5470000

BAR VITALIP.zza 4 NovembreRodano (hamlet Lucino)Tel.+39 0295320434

BAR PANINOTECA IL TRENINOVia TuratiRodano (hamlet Lucino)Tel. +39 3491843517

DA PIPPO A CASSIGNANICAP.zza Paolo GrassiRodano (hamlet Cassignanica)Tel. +39 0295328016e-mail: [email protected]

cyc l ing between


9AMONG FIELDS AND WATERS

Easy route, suitable for everybody, fromPunto Parco Casa dell’Acqua in Paullo alongthe shores of the remains of the mysteriousLake Gerundo and the irrigations dykes ofthe Lodigiano.This route offers an overview of the rurallandscape that is typical of the Parco Agri-colo Sud Milano and Parco Adda Sud.

TECHNICAL SHEETStarting and finishing point: PaulloDistance: approx 26km round tripTotal ascent: negligible Grade: easyRoad surface: entirely along paved roads,bicycle paths and secondary roads. Recommended type of bike: road or hybrid

WATER SOURCESDrinking fountains:Tribiano: in the courtyard of the Municipalhouse (almost at the end of the route)Galgagnano: at the town park in Piazzadella Libertà

REST STOPSQuartiano: town park in Via 4 Novembre

MECHANICAL ASSISTANCEBicycle shop “F.lli Denti” Via Turati, Paullo (closed on Sundays).

> ROUTE 9 _

75

Cascina Villambrera Pedestrian bridge in Quartiano

DIRECTIONS• From the Casa dell’Acqua in Paullo ridealong Via Buonarroti towards the centre ofPaullo and take Via Milano (mind the mo-torized traffic!). Cover Via Milano and proceed straightahead along Via Pasubio towards Zelo BuonPersico. • Past the cemetery of Paullo, take the bicy-cle path on the right-hand side and follow itas far as Zelo Buon Persico. Cover via Dante as far as the street number

16 then ride into Via Cardazzi on the right-hand side (the road can only be entered bybicycle and on foot). Turn left into Via Mar-coni, then right and reach Piazza Italia. Crossthe Piazza (pedestrian area) and take Via 20Settembre on the right.• Pass the roundabout and take the bicyclepath in the direction of Lodi. Proceeding to-wards the hamlet of Mignete, a short detour(approx 1km) leads us to the ancient ruralhamlet of Casolate. • Ride back to the bicycle path along the

SP16, and proceed as far as the hamlet ofMignete, where the bicycle path stops.Keep to the right, leaving the SP16 on theleft, and cross the village.At the end of the village a grade separa-tion on the left-hand side will let us crossthe SP16 and resume the bicycle path thatat this point runs on the left side of theroad and beside the escarpment of the an-cient Lake Gerundo, now almost entirelydrained away.

• Proceed crossing the green area near thePunto Parco Adda Sud, then reach and ridepast the roundabout in Villa Pompeiana (ap-prox 7.5 km). At this point, those who wishto be surprised again might take a detourand reach the Parco Ittico Paradiso. Followthe signs to reach this interesting site. Pro-ceed towards Galgagnano following the bi-cycle path along the main road SP 16. • At this point cross Via Monzasca (it is thelocal name for main road SP16 San Grato-Zelo B.P.) and turn right into the road to-wards Quartiano.Once in Quartiano cover Via 4 Novembre

crossing the Muzza Canal along a beautifulpedestrian bridge, then proceed as far as thecrossroads with Via Monsignor Pandini, Thenturn right in the direction of Mulazzano andreach this village along the peaceful bicyclepath on the right-hand side of the road.• Enter Mulazzano and past a few dozensmetres, turn left into Via Pandina, covering italmost as far as the end of the built-up area.Then turn right into Via Dei Platani. At thetraffic lights turn right into Via Lanzano (sub-sequently called Municipal Road SC704)which leads outside the village, riding along-side fields and irrigation dykes, passing by the

The remains of the ancient Lake Gerundo The beautiful road that leads to Lanzano (in the background Cascina Virolo)

ancient farmstead Cascina Virolo che and fi-nally reaching the hamlet of Lanzano.• Cross the village along Via Mazzini andproceed turning right into Via Roma. Cycleahead as far as the medieval church of SanBarbaziano, and finally reach the crossroadswith the Strada Comunale 705 (we are nowin the territory of the Comune di Tribiano).Turn right into the bicycle path. Pass theTown Hall (there is a water fountain in itscourtyard) and proceed along the bicyclepath, riding alongside the Cemetery andreaching the roundabout which signs the be-ginning of the built-up area of Tribiano.

Path starting from via Piave

77

• A few hundreds metres to go and the bi-cycle path ends. Proceed keeping to the rightalong the Via 24 Maggio, which we follow asfar as the crossroads with Via Umberto I,where we turn right upon the nice pedes-trian bridge) and turn right into Via Piave. At-tention please!!! This 100 mt long stretch isa one way road, where riding is not allowed.Walk as far as the first opportunity to turnright into a narrow path, where we can re-sume cycling.• The path crosses a small green area andreaches Via Aldo Moro, which we cover asfar as the first roundabout, where we turnright into Via Edison. Follow this road as farVia Buonarroti. At this point turn right andafter a hundred metres we will reach theCasa dell’Acqua in Paullo, where we startedour journey.

Ancient ice-house in Zelo Buon Persico

The beautiful façade of San Barbaziano

POINTS OF INTERESTZelo Buon Persico: - Ice-house of early XIX century. From Pi-

azza Italia, turn into Via Lombardia. Just afew metres and you will reach the remainsof an ancient ice-house (now in total neg-lect), one of the last specimen of rural ar-chitecture of this kind in our territory.Formerly owned by the Real-EstateAgency of the Ospedale Maggiore, thebuilding is characterized by the sphericalcap made of cotto bricks.

Casolate:- Ancient rural village, first quoted in a doc-

ument of 1147, today it has only 15 in-habitants.

Mignete:- Oratorio S. Michele: small church dating

back to XII century, now transformed intoa Punto Parco Adda Sud. Rest area withplayground for children.

Tribiano:- Church of San Barbaziano. The first evi-

dence of a religious settlement in San Bar-baziano dates back to XIII century, whenthe church of San Barbaziano was amongthe ecclesiastic institutions around Lodicharged with taxes by the papacy in 1261.Other documents date the church backto year 1090.

DID YOU KNOW?In 1488 the duke of Milan Francesco Sforzaestablished his headquarter in Casolate, duringthe war against the Republic of Venice.

79

CASCINA SANT’ANTONIOGreen B&BC.na Sant’Antonio 20067 PAULLO (MI)+39 02 90632350

Contact: IMELDA CASORATI

Farm guesthouse with B&B in furnishedapartment (4 beds). Projects: enlargement ofthe building with more rooms (up to 10beds), with disability access and conferenceroom.

TENUTA VIROLOShopping in the Farm

Az.Agricola CASCINAVIROLOVia per Lanzano, Mulazzano (LO)+39 02 989044Apertura: sabato pomeriggio e, su richiesta,contattando il n. +39 335 6318403http://www.tenutavirolo.it/

Contact:[email protected]

The Virolo estate has ancient origins and iscomposed by a large group of buildings (itwas first mentioned in the cadastre “Tere-siano”) with a cow shed, farmhouse, cheesefactory and shed) and its 140 hectares ofarable land all around it. Today the tradi-tional farming activity (low environmentalimpact cultivation of cereals, fruit and veg-etables) is completed by the cultivation ofhard wood, didactic activity and the directsale of own produce. Virolo is particularlysuitable for schools rural tourism and anyrecreational activity such as walks, bird

watching or naturalistic photography. Thefarmstead has been restored and it can ac-commodate banquets, conventions, or ruralparties.


LOCANDA CORTE GRANDE Via Umberto I 2, TribianoTel. +39029064080e-mail: [email protected]

HOTEL FLORENTIA Via Milano 1/326832 Cervignano d’Adda (LO) Tel: +39 02 9813246e-mail: [email protected]

OSTERIA JAZZ CAFE’Via Lodi 4, MigneteTel. +39 3383585984 closed on Mon-Tue.

TRATTORIA GIUPPONIVia Lodi 13, MigneteTel. +39 02 9065012 closed on Mon

BAR CAFFETTERIA BIANCHIVia Monzasca 2, - GalgagnanoTel. +390371 68371closed on Mon

RISTORANTE FRA’ DIAVOLOVia Lodi 17, - Villa PompeianaTel. +3902 90658585 closed on Mon

BAR PONTE MUZZAVia 4 Novembre 50, Quartiano Tel. +3902 9813509 closed on Sun

RISTORANTE PIZZERIA DAMINVia Lago di Garda 2, MulazzanoTel. +3902 989434 always open

PASTICCERIA SILVIAVia Pandina 2, MulazzanoTel. +3902 98875298 closed on Mon

cyc l ing between


10FROM LAUS NOVA TO

THE WALLS OF PIZZIGHETTONE

This is an interesting route of average grade, tobe performed in two days. From the PuntoParco Casa dell’Acqua the routes touches threeprovinces: Milan, Lodi and Cremona. Crossingthe beautiful town of Lodi (the ancient LausNova) it reaches the powerful walls ofPizzighettone, the “walled town”, an extraordi-nary example of military architecture. Forthose who want to cycle a little bit farther, thePo River is only a few kilometres further on...

TECHNICAL SHEETStarting and finishing point: PaulloDistance: approx 110km round tripTotal ascent: negligibleGrade: averageRoad surface: 70% paved road (almostentirely along bicycle path) 30% dirt road(towpath along the Muzza Canal and AddaRiver). In the stretch along the Muzzatowpath, it is recommended to keep thechildren on the outer side, with adultsalongside them, since there are somedangerous points with no fence.Recommended type of bike: road or hybrid.

WATER SOURCES Drinking fountains:Arcagna: near the votive kiosk of theMadonna del “Gabon” Montanaso: at the end of Via Garibaldi

REST STOPSArcagna: Near the votive kiosk of theMadonna del “Gabon”Montanaso: soon after the pedestrianbridge across the Belgiardino Canal.

MECHANICAL ASSISTANCEBicycle shop “F.lli Denti” Via Turati, Paullo (closedon Sundays). Bicycle shop “Cicli Diliè”, PiazzaleFiume, Lodi (open also on Sun. monday)

> ROUTE 10 _

83

Signpost indicating the Zelasche Cycling among the fields towards the Tenuta del Boscone First stretch from Paullo to Lodi

DIRECTIONS• From the Casa dell’Acqua in Paullo takethe left towpath of Muzza Canal goingdownstream.Cross the bridge over the Muzza, nearCascina Villambrera and turn left at the endof the bridge onto the right towpath.• Cycle ahead passing the waterfall and thesmall power plant Bolenzana as far as Quar-tiano, where the towpath stops.• Cross the pedestrian/cycling bridge on theleft and go ahead along Via 4 Novembre as

far as Galgagnano. In Galgagnano cross theprovincial street SP16, turn right and resumethe bicycle path.• Pass the villages Bellaria, Arcagna and theBelgiardino Canal and cycle ahead along thebicycle path as far as the junction between theSP16 and the road to Montanaso. At this pointturn left into Via Garibaldi and then at the endof the street turn right downhill along theprovincial street SP202 towards Lodi.At the large roundabout in Lodi, turn left,cross the street and the car park of the su-

permarket “LidL”, then cross Via Milano atthe traffic lights and proceed on the leftalong the bicycle path (on the right side onthe road).Proceed as far as the next roundabout,turn right in Viale Dalmazia, holding the leftside where the bicycle path runs alongsideof the Isola Carolina Park. At the nextroundabout turn left into Via Dell’Acque-dotto, crossing Viale Dante Alighieri andtaking Viale 4 Novembre (which has a bi-cycle path on the left side).

• Cycle straight ahead into Viale Agnelli (bicyclepath along the left lane). At Porta Crema turnright again into Corso Mazzini and then left intoVia Friuli. Leave the farmstead Cascina Coldanaon the left and cross the “tangenziale” (bypass orring road) of Lodi along an overpass which willlead you to the locality Ca’ del Conte. • This beautiful stretch runs along the coursecarved out by the Adda River, inside the terri-tory of the Parco Adda Sud. Once we havereached the main road SP 26 towards Cremona,we turn left onto the bicycle path and ride as faras the traffic lights “on request”, where we cross

the road and proceed on the bicycle path whichruns alongside the small canal Colatore Muzza. • Ride past Caviaga, Basiasco and Turano andproceed along the bicycle path which runs onthe old provincial road.This path ends soon afterthe restaurant Cascina Colombina in Bertonico.Here we turn right into the provincial road andtravel as far as we cross the bridge over theMuzza Canal. At the end of a short slope, weturn left in the direction of Castiglione d’Adda(via Umberto). At the crossroads turn right andproceed along Via Garibaldi and Via Roma, thenturn left into Via Incoronata and resume the bi-

The pedestrian/cycling bridge in Pizzighettone Second stretch: Lodi-Pizzighettone

cycle path which runs alongside the provincialroad and leads us to Camairago.• Once in Camairago, we ride past the piazza.Before reaching the Castle we turn into adownhill road which leads us among cultivatedfields to the forest near the Adda River and todirt road which will bring us to the nature re-serve Tenuta del Boscone.• From the Tenuta, head for Pizzighettone cy-cling along the bank of the Adda River. InPizzighettone we are welcomed by the beautifulTorre del Guado, ancient battlements that havewithstood the test of time.

Crossing the bridge over the Adda River in Pizzighettone

85

POINTS OF INTERESTArcagna:- Santuario della Madonna Assunta “Gabon”

(age-old elm with nearby votive kiosk)Lodi: - The town of Lodi offers many sites of spe-

cial interest. Among others, the followingare worth mentioning:

- Piazza della Vittoria and Piazza del Mercato - Piazza Castello and the Castello Visconteo

overlooking it- The Romanic Duomo, the most ancient

and most important monument in Lodi- The Tempio Civico dell’Incoronata is an

absolute must as it is a masterpiece of theLombard Renaissance, and it representsthe most prestigious monument of thetown.

DID YOU KNOW?Lodi is the only Italian town to have a bustrepresenting Frederick Redbeard, historicalenemy of the communal liberties, and yetworshipped as the founding father by theLodigiani. The bust of the German emperorcan be seen on the right side of the MunicipalPalace.

Pizzighettone:- The immense walls with the casemates

(vaulted armoured chambers inside thefortress) and the Torre del Guado where

Francesco I of France was imprisoned areworth a visit. For a guided tour, contact theGruppo Volontari delle Mura – Volunteersof the Wall (Piazza d’Armi, Pizzighettone -

Tel: +39 0372.730.333, Mobile: +39 339 5278336)- Tenuta del Boscone, regional park of 300

hectares and with 30 kilometres of pathswhich are both suitable for cycling and walking.

Fresco in the votive kiosk of Villa Pompeiana The powerful walls surrounding Pizzighettone

Interiors of the casemates

87

AZIENDA AGRICOLA TENUTA DEL BOSCONEShopping in the Farm

Azienda Agricola TENUTA DEL BOSCONEC.na Isola -Camairago+39 0377 59384www.boscone.com

Contact:Antonio [email protected]

Tenuta del Boscone is a nature oasis, threehundreds hectares large, alongside the AddaRiver, with walnut, elm, alder and oak woods.Recreational activities: Playground, fishing,guided tour, didactic tours, football fieldProduce: DOC meat (DOC is a mark guar-anteeing the quality of food), vegetables andfruit, produce tasting. Always open.

ALLEVAMENTO FRISIAShopping in the Farm

Allevamento FRISIA, C.na Brusata di sotto,Bertonico (LO) +39 0377 85019

Contact:[email protected]

Produce: dairy milk, wine from cask, cheese,jam, honey, other delicacies. Open times: Mon to Sat from 8.00 to 19.15- Sun and festive days from 10.00 to 19.15


TRATTORIA “DEL GUADO”Via Porta Bosco 1, Pizzighettone Tel. +39 0372 743408closed on Mone-mail: [email protected]

OSTERIA DARFANIPiazza Chiesa 1Caviaga di Cavenago d’Adda Tel. +39 0371 487092closed on tuesday evening and wednesdaye-mail: [email protected]

RISTORANTE LA CONTRADAVia Sortita 9, PizzighettoneTel. +39 0372 744013closed on tuesday evening and wednesday

RISTORANTE LA CHIOCCIOLAVia Piemonte 14, PizzighettoneTel. +39 0372/743309Fax, +39 0372/743309e-mail: [email protected]

B&B LA CASA DI OLIVERvia Defendente 60, LodiTel. +39.0371.411.777e-mail: [email protected]

ALBERGO IL TORCHIOVia Mazza 8, PizzighettoneTel: 0372 731525

RESIDENZA GIGLIOLAPiazza d’Armi 3, PizzighettoneTel: 0372 743027e-mail: [email protected]

PROVINCIA DI MILANO Viale Piceno, 60 - 20129 [email protected]/pianificazione_territoriale/MiBici

PARCO AGRICOLO SUD MILANOC.so Porta Vittoria, 27 - 20122 [email protected] - www.provincia.mi.it/parcosud

PROVINCIA DI LODIVia Fanfulla, 14 - 26900 [email protected] - www.provincia.lodi.it

COMUNE DI PAULLOVia Mazzini, 28 - 20067 Paullo (Mi)[email protected] - www.comune.paullo.mi.it

CONSORZIO BONIFICA MUZZA BASSA LODIGIANASEDE DI LODI: Via Nino Dall'Oro, 4 - 26900 [email protected] - www.muzza.it

PARCO ADDA NORDVia Benigno Calvi, 3 - Trezzo sull'Adda (MI)[email protected] - www.parcoaddanord.it

PARCO ADDA SUDviale Dalmazia, 10 - 26900 - [email protected] - www.parcoaddasud.it

AMIACQUE SrlVia Rimini 34/36, Milanotel. 02/895201fax 02/89540058www.amiacque.it

PAULLO CHE PEDALA-FIABVia San Pedrino, 43 - 20067 [email protected] - www.paullochepedala.it

BANCA POPOLARE DI CREMAVia Milano, 77/79 - 20067 Paullo (MI)

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Documents

Lodi and Milan - Parco Adda Sud