Bereguardo, in the province of Pavia, Pavia is located in the northwest near the left bank of the Ticino, passed here by a traditional pontoon bridge, the last and rarest examples of pontoon bridge in Italy. Built as a temporary work at the end, resisted both world wars.
The boats, initially in wood, were replaced with the current concrete barges. This type of bridge follows the flow of the river when the water level rises boats float.
The Naviglio Bereguardo is one of the canals, originally intended to inland, which were dug between the late Middle Ages and the nineteenth century in Milan.
Detaches from the Naviglio Grande Abbiategrasso, and southward, reaching Bereguardo at the Ticino, after about 19 km. Has a fall of about 24 meters, which is exceeded by 12 locks.
The fleet of Bereguardo began already in 1420, was built largely between 1457 and 1470 by the will of Francesco I Sforza, Duke of Milan and used to transport salt, coming across the Po, the Venetian lagoon. The towpath that runs along only partially paved, is totally closed to traffic because it was used as a cycling lane.
HISTORY
Campaign Soprana belonging to the Pavia, developed around the castle built by the Visconti of Milan at the beginning of the fourteenth century for the control of a step in the Ticino, and soon became a place of recreation and hunting for the Dukes of Milan, from which the name of good about (the French "Beau Regard") for a panoramic position overlooking the alluvial valley of the Ticino. In the fifteenth century was the fief of Matthew Mercagatti (founder of Attendolo Bolognini) and the Tolentini Stacciola; in the eighteenth century was the feud Eleiizander. In 1872 they were joined Bereguardo the common deleted Zelata and Pissarello.
- Zelata since the twelfth century, was part of the Campaign Soprana, and remained a separate municipality until 1872. The Wood of Zelata, is among the most important botanical areas of the Ticino Park. Built in wet, shows very different. Soils semiallagati, willows and alders thrive, others with lower humidity, we find stones and poplars. In dry areas, oaks and maples. We are near the "Garzaia, nesting sites for herons and egrets.
- Pissarello place spot on the Ticino (another Pissarello is located on the Po at Belgioioso) and an important time for the transshipment of goods from the river to Canal Bereguardo was an independent town until 1872. It was roughly at the bridge, and was destroyed by flood. In the eighteenth century was the stronghold of the Visconti of Fontaneto.