Some days ago I passed in Bastiglia, a small town some km north of the city of Modena and I took the opportunity to have a quick walk along the Canale Naviglio (Naviglio channel).

The Naviglio is a large channel that brings water from the city of Modena to the river Panaro near the town of Bomporto passing through the town of Bastiglia. It has an important hydraulic role especially during periods of heavy rains, but in the past, it was a really very important waterway.

Even if the city of Modena is around 150 km from the Adriatic sea, during the past centuries it was possible to go, for example, from Venice to Modena by boat on the River Po (that it is possible to do even today), then on the river Panaro and then on the Naviglio Channel.

In the city of Modena there also was a harbour dock until about the end of the 19th century.

To navigate against the current the boats were pulled from the shore using horses, mules, and donkeys.

In some places, the river is artificially covered and... 

... it is possible to walk as the coverage is a long and narrow urban park with a pathway and bikeway, benches, and night lights.

All the images were taken by me with the smartphone camera.

.