Discover Paderno: Leonardo, industrial heritage and the Adda landscape

A trip to Paderno can focus on different things: connections to Leonardo, religious buildings, industrial history, or paths and scenery along the Adda. Choosing where to go depends on whether you are more interested in art history, historic technology, or a route on foot or by bicycle.

Art and religious history

In the former Oratorio dell’Addolorata, a permanent exhibition displays copies of both versions of Leonardo’s “The Virgin of the Rocks”. After extensive restoration, the building opened to the public on 22 June 2008 as a site dedicated to Leonardo da Vinci. The former oratory thus brings together two tangible connections to Leonardo: the exhibition of both versions of the painting and the historical dedication when it opened.

The Oratorio di Sant’Ambrogio was probably built by private individuals in the first half of the 18th century. The Chiesetta di Santa Maria Addolorata is a stop on the “Adda di Leonardo” Ecomuseum route; the Santuario della Madonna della Rocchetta is a stop on the Cammino di Sant’Agostino. Their route connections differ: the Chiesetta is part of the Ecomuseum, while the Santuario is part of a pilgrimage route.

Bridges, canal and hydropower

The Ponte San Michele, also known as the Ponte di Paderno, was built between 1887 and 1889 and is 266 metres long. The Diga Vecchia in Paderno d’Adda followed between 1895 and 1898: the Società Edison built it as the entrance structure for the navigable canal. These dates and functions help distinguish the two structures.

The Centrale Idroelettrica Guido Semenza began operating in 1920. It was designed to use excess water from the Naviglio; its turbines were immersed in the water without pipes or collectors. Both the planned use of the water and the unusual arrangement of the turbines are of interest when exploring the area’s industrial history.

The Adda landscape and its paths

The Tre Corni mark the beginning of the Adda Gorge, a canyon more than 100 metres deep with dense oak and hornbeam forests. This combination of gorge and woodland offers a different focus from the historic structures.

The “Adda di Leonardo” Ecomuseum follows a 21-kilometre cycling and walking path along the Adda River, from Imbersago to Cassano d’Adda. Another path between Cornate d’Adda and Robbiate runs alongside the Naviglio di Paderno. You can explore it on foot or by bicycle; motor vehicles are not permitted.

Stallazzo can be reached from the hamlet of Porto d’Adda via a 400-metre footpath to the river. The route distances refer to different trips: the Ecomuseum path runs for 21 kilometres between two towns, while the 400 metres refers to the footpath from Porto d’Adda to the river at Stallazzo.

Discover more destinations: Garbagnate Monastero, Cernusco Lombardone, Garlate, Pasturo, Morterone, Maggio, Annone Di Brianza, Carenno

For the broader travel overview: Lecco.