Naviglio di Bereguardo

Situated in Lombardy, Italy, the Naviglio di Bereguardo was a navigable canal, part of the Navigli system. It leaves the Naviglio Grande at Abbiategrasso, heading in a southerly direction to Bereguardo (a distance of about 18 km).

Construction began in the first half of the 15th century by order of Francesco Sforza. Originally intended for irrigation, 24 locks were later built to allow for boats to move along it. The engineer for this task was Bertola da Novate (c. 1410-1475), who had 18 pound locks constructed along the canal system operated by Milan. Despite the pound locks, at Bereguardo the canal terminated just short of a connection with the River Ticino, so the boats had to be dragged over land the short distance.

The canal fell into disuse in the 19th century with the opening of the grander Naviglio Pavese and today it is only used for irrigation purposes.