Vaprio d' Adda

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19 April 2015

Vaprio d'Adda is a tiny town about 30 km away from Milan. It has a river, Adda and it is how the name is associated. Beautiful houses and retired factories buildings are sitting on both banks. It is a gorgeous view.  But Before the end of the visit, I noticed then Leonardo da Vinci lived here, in the enormous Villa Melzi.




















We started the visit by a 12th century Romanesque church, Chiesa di San Colombano.  It was closed on Sunday afternoon.  Outside stand a few pieces of sculpture.  They are cute.  A mermaid, unintreccio tape, a lion with two bodies and individual head, an angel protecting a child, a lion tearing its prey, etc.


We walked towards the river Adda.  A spectacular walkway over Naviglio Vaprio welcomed us.  The design was inspired by the whirlpool so dear to Leonardo da Vinci. It received an award at the Biennale of Architecture in Venice in 2014.


Walking down the spiral staircase, go left and cross the other bridge.  Look to the right, you will enjoy the picturesque houses on the bank accompanied by the beautiful blues of the river. 


Looking to the left you will see very nice factory buildings, Visconti di Modrone-Velvis factory and Munksjo Paper. Yup, they are much nicer than the modern industrial buildings.

If you turn to the left side after crossing the bridge you will reach a quiet corner of the river.  Locals, families were enjoying the serenity and sunset there.   There was a faded castle miniature (my words).  Beautiful scenes!

Approaching to the end of our trip is to glimpse the outlook of Villa Melzi which Leonardo da Vinci stayed between 1506 and 1513 when he was in a service at the Sforazmilanese court.  Francesco Melzi worked for da Vinci.  They were closed friends.  Francesco inherited da Vinci precious artistic and scientific works, manuscripts and collection of Leonardo.  Two generations later, Leonardo's collections were sold.


My friends were hungry already two hours ago.  We had to head back.  On the way were a beautiful old house and a old fashioned fashion store.  A smile.

 






Location: Vaprio MI, Italy

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