Milan is located in a vast floodplain  rich of rivers.
Around 1000 b.c, at the end of  the barbarian invasions, the monks began a massive reclamation and reorganization of waters for irrigation.
The streams were then adjusted and used for agriculture, for supporting  many crafts with the help of the water wheels and later for navigation.

This function was greatly stimulated by the construction of the Milan Cathedral, begun in late 1300, which required the transportation of Candoglia marble, from Lake Maggiore.

To the first navigation channel, that already linked Ticino river to the city (Naviglio Grande), were added a dock (lake of St. Stephen) to land heavy material  and basins (basin Viarenna), the first of its kind in the world, to overcome the gap of the plain.

To the solution of problems arising from the topography of the area, at the beginning of 1500 also worked Leonardo da Vinci with projects (probably  too daring for that time) and   detailed drawings of the projects and water works, collected in the "Code of Leonardo" and now preserved in Castello Sforzesco
In later centuries the work continued and other waterways were dug to create a river network connection between the rivers Adda, Lambro, Seveso, Olona (channels Martesana and Paderno) and Ticino (Bereguardo channel), in which was Milan, with a waterway that lapped the center circle of the city.

In 1930 the canals in the urban section were filled and replaced by a ring road called Inner Ring or Ring of Canals, but still during the Second World War the channels in the external traits recorded a further increase in trade: the Allied air force, in fact, struck through normal terrestrial communication and Navigli were a good alternative for the movement of goods.

Along the Naviglio Grande between 1700 and 1800 at a short distance from the town,  a unique urban settlement has developed, made of beautiful villas and summer residences, palaces and gardens, castles and farmhouses in the area suitable for the vacation of the lords of the city: old houses that are reflected in the water, ancient stone bridges, lush vegetation make the canal an environment still intact and to be admired...

Since 2006 there are five lines of navigation on Naviglio Grande and Naviglio Pavese and the number of  tourists is constantly increasing..
Navigli focus ambitions, concerts, projects and dreams with a Expo’ view. There won’t be a waterway that will link directly Expo site to Milan, but there will be routes strongly marked by the water courses, of which the canals are the most evident symbol. The project includes 11 public boat anfidrome boats with electric motor  powered by solar panels: they are zero emission vehicles that have the ability to carry on the bike, both personal and those provided by the bike sharing platforms provided in the vicinity stops. There will be an opportunity to move with a regular service in a pleasant scenario, without a car.
Milan will be again a city of water.