No traces – at least none that could be recognised by the people of Bologna – are left from the buildings and machines.

And when the workshops fell into decay the channels were covered in the course of time. Only through the interest of the Bolognese historians did Bologna learn about this certainly most important aspect of its history.

The Channel as driving force for economic upswing

The studies began after World War II and aroused a strong interest among the Municipality, which could announce “the rediscovery of the city channels and the workshops connected to them and of the region along the Navile Channel outside the city walls to the north.”

In 1979, the town planning concepts were altered and the area of the Navile, as well as the buildings of the early industries and the industrial buildings still existing were classified as historical monuments.

The Navile Channel was originally called the “Canale di Reno.” It is not known when it was built. It is probable that the sluice of Casalecchio, a village on the slopes of the hills, which was important for the Channel, was built in 1191 at the expense of the Ramisani family, who owned one branch of the Reno River and the waterwheels and mills using its energy.

In 1208 the town of Bologna purchased from the Ramisanis the right to deduct all the water not needed in the mills; the Ramisanis could mill at any time and left the town the responsibility to maintain the sluice and to repair it if necessary.

The sluice helped to redirect part of the Reno water into the city by way of a channel system. By 1295 the channel was well developed; it had an average width of 11 metres, a depth of about 3.2 metres and was flanked by solid dams.

The new channel system within the walls of Bologna that the town had planned to built already in 1208 (when it had bought the first sluice of Casalecchio to bring water to the city) led to the development of a great variety of craftsman’s establishments.

The water supplied energy for many hydraulic machines such as mills. From 1548 onward, when the channel was modernised, regular navigation became possible. In 1547 the wooden sluices were reconstructed and the channel was extended to build the port, the quays, the storehouses, the customs office, etc.

With the arrival of the French under Napoleon, the numerous mills within the city walls began to decline. According to the town planning concept of 1889, Bologna was to get a more “modern” face in accordance with the socio-economic changes. The channel region was practically destroyed.

Reconstruction plans started in the 70ies

By the end of the 70ies the studies carried out in the archives had roused the interest of the city of Bologna in its past. In 1979, City Councellor Cervellati proposed to alter the building plans, which was accepted and signed in the same year.

According to the new plan, the part of the Navile Channel situated in the city was to be transformed into a linear river park in the plane.

The “hydraulic machine” built in the 16th century, which went down in history, and the numerous workshops that still exist along the channel banks – brickworks, paper mills, rice-peeling plants and a power station – shall be restored.

The empty buildings shall be returned to the city and shall house cultural and leisure activities and local events. The banks shall be used for public housing with low density.

First, the construction of the effluent sewers under the overbuilt channels was started. From 1979 to 1989 the Municipality focused on the reconstruction of the former brickkiln Galotti, where the Industrial Museum of Bologna was established.

Within the past 10 years the project was altered to include the memory of the early industrial period in Bologna and to create a “Science Park.” Thus, already nine institutes of the National Research Council were established and took up work.

At present, tenders are called for with regard to the reconstruction of the power station near Batiferro, which is to be used by the recently established Faculty of Biotechnology at the University of Bologna.

The only project, unfortunately still not realised after twenty years, is the reconstruction of the 6 km of the “asta idraulica”, i.e. the channel itself, since the Navile is administered by state and local authorities, which cannot be influenced by the city authorities of Bologna. (Source: aqua press Int. 06/99)
Dr. Carlo Salomoni

Information & Contact:
Dr. Carlo Salomoni
Via S. Vitale 40/3, I-40125 Bologna
Tel.: +39/51/234685