The Adda river, around 30 km eastward from Milan, was an important
river for Leonardo. He made several drawings of its surroundings,
and was inspired by its cliffs for the background of his famous
painting “The Virgin of the Rocks”.
At Imbersago,
in the northern part of the river, you can cross the river
using a curious ferry-boat built after one of the drawings
of Leonardo. The boat uses the current of the river with
an moving submarine wing that, like a sail, pushes the boat
across the river along a rope. The ferry can transport even
cars. It’s not clear if Leonardo was the first to
invent this boat, or if he drew it only because, like us,
he was fascinated by the geniality of the idea.
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The boat of
Imbersago

The drawing of Leonardo
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