Key facts
- A 500-year-old ferry, designed by Leonardo da Vinci, is operating on the River Adda in Lombardy.
- The ferry is being used to bypass traffic congestion caused by the closure of the Brivio bridge.
- The bridge closure is expected to last until 2027.
- The ferry is powered solely by the river's current, making it an eco-friendly transport method.
- The service is run by local volunteers and carries pedestrians, bicycles, motorbikes, and cars.
A historic ferry, designed by Leonardo da Vinci in 1513, has seen a resurgence in use on the River Adda in Lombardy, Italy. The hand-operated vessel, known as the 'Leonardo ferry,' is currently serving as a vital transport link to alleviate traffic congestion caused by the closure of the Brivio bridge for repairs, a process expected to last until 2027.
The ferry, the last of its kind, historically connected Imbersago with Villa d'Adda and once marked the border between the Duchy of Milan and the Republic of Venice. While the design concept predates Leonardo, he was captivated by the craft, immortalizing it in a drawing. Management of the ferry eventually passed to the municipality of Imbersago, and it operated until bridges made it largely superfluous.
With the closure of the Brivio bridge, traffic on the nearby San Michele bridge has surged, leading commuters to rediscover the ferry as a quicker and more pleasant alternative. The service, now extended to weekdays, is operated by a group of local volunteers, including students and the mayor. The ferry's sustainable design, powered solely by the river's current via a steel cable, makes it an eco-friendly mode of transport, carrying pedestrians, bicycles, motorbikes, and cars across the river in approximately five minutes.