A ferry glides across northern Italy's Adda River, guided by a cable and propelled by the current, offering harried commuters five minutes of serenity and an alternative route amid a bridge closure that has caused traffic congestion.
The Legacy of Leonardo's Ferry
Known as "Leonardo's Ferry," this reaction ferry was designed five centuries ago and immortalized by the Renaissance genius in a drawing housed in Windsor Castle's Royal Collection near London. It is the last of its kind along the Adda River, which flows from the Alps to the Po River in Lombardy.
"This is a means of transport that has been here for 500 years and has always connected the two banks of the Adda," said Massimo Zoia, a volunteer ferryman. "Now it has returned to its original purpose: connecting two populations living on different banks of a river."
Ingenious and Eco-Friendly Design
While it is uncertain whether Leonardo himself designed the ferry, he sketched it in 1513 as part of his studies of waterways, including Milan's canal system. The operating principle is simple yet ingenious and entirely environmentally friendly. "The river pushes us downstream. We have a cable that binds us, and by breaking down the forces according to the parallelogram rule, the force is broken into resistance and lateral movement," Zoia explained. "The rudder adjusts the ferry's inclination to better absorb the stream and propel us."
Community Effort to Preserve History
The ferry, operated by the town of Imbersago and connecting to Villa d'Adda, nearly ceased in 2023 when its operator gave up the concession. Mayor Fabio Vergani obtained a ferryman's license and, with the local tourism association, assembled a team of volunteers. Since 2024, they have primarily transported weekend visitors, but added commuter service this spring after a nearby bridge closed for maintenance.
The ferry now runs from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., with a two-hour lunch break at noon. Fares are 1.50 euros (about $1.75) for pedestrians, 2 euros ($2.30) with a bicycle, 2.50 euros ($2.88) with a motorbike, and 3.50 euros (around $4) for a car.
Commuters Embrace the Serenity
Gianpaolo Graffagnino, who lives in Villa d'Adda and works across the river, now bikes to work using the ferry as a shortcut. "Right now this is the fastest system, but above all the nicest because you get three minutes of peace," he said. Mauro Carnati drove his Maserati onto the ferry to bring his daughter to school, avoiding a long detour. "It's true that we spend a little money, and it's not possible every day, but the romance and added value of the Adda and the ferry are truly amazing. It makes for a better start to the day," he said.
