Add a review about the Flea Market in Navigli

One of the most lively and romantic areas of Milan is the Navigli (literally from Italy ."Channels") .The fate of this place was not simple: first, for the organization of the city's water supply, it was dug by the canals, then a large part of it was hidden under the ground, after again cleared and the ships were let out .In a word, they played as they could, year after year changing the face of the quarter .Perhaps, it was these metamorphoses and the spirit of gay sailors that attracted Milanese bohemians and creative people in Navigli .Today, wherever you look, you will come across a fashionable restaurant, a "beau monde bar" or a boutique with vintage things .And in the evenings in Navigli all the artistic beau monde of Milan @ @.No wonder that one of the largest and most famous flea markets in Italy opened here, in Navigli .

To better understand the organization of the area and the location of the same flea market, it's worth to go a little deeper into the history of Navigli .Located to the right of the new Ticino Gate, this area is not accidentally considered one of the most picturesque in Milan .If you look deep into the centuries, you can be surprised to learn that a long time ago Milan was very much like Venice with its channels .In view of the fact that there was no sea or large rivers in the vicinity of the capital of Lombardy, and the water supply had to be organized somehow, the laying of canals was considered an extremely important matter .

And at the request of Ludovico Moreau attracted to their arrangement even the great Leonardo. It was he who presented a carefully thought-out project with a multitude of blueprints that allowed both to take water from these channels for drinking, and to wash and deliver the goods. Of course, over time, they began to dump slops and achieved the fact that epidemics began in Milan.

In the late 19 - early 20 th century, most of the Milan channels suffered the fate of Neglinka in Moscow. Some of the ducts were blocked, the other was closed. From the old hydraulic system there were only the Grand and the Pavia channels (Naviglio Grande and Naviglio Pavese). A little later, in the 30s of the 20th century, they were cleared, deepened and re-launched, for which Milan was even awarded the title of "thirteenth port of Italy". Today embankments along these canals are considered one of the most pleasant places for an evening walk in the city.

Particular attention should be paid to a narrow, street-like street of the Washerwomen (Vicolo delle Lavandaie), as well as to the elegant facade of the church of San Cristoforo. And, of course, certainly to look here on the last Sunday of the month - to the antiques market.
At the flea market in Navigli you can find everything that absolutely is not necessary, but terribly interesting: once these things lived a real life, they were loved by their masters, and after they fell into disgrace, they were dusted and today are sold at a trifling price in quality, perhaps , the best souvenir for the memory of the beautiful Milan.

What can you see here on the last Sunday of the month? The antique market of Italy (Mercatone dell'Antiquariato), grandiose in its size, rush and variety of fancy goods .It takes place along the Grand Canal, but it's almost impossible to miss it and not notice it. Flops are buzzing around like flies, idle crowds of tourists and fashionably dressed interior designers are wandering around, who are looking for this or that bizarre thing for the decor of the next project .Products offer really all sorts and different - and furniture, and art objects, and old kitchen utensils from more than 500 sellers .

In addition to the antique market, every Saturday in Navigli two more bazaars are organized - flea and grocery .The Milan "flea" (Mercato del Sabato), which runs on the other side of Darsena, is a real mecca of unnecessary and surprisingly funny things .Here you can find old video and audio cassettes, posters, books, postcards, phonographs and plates, door locks and picture frames, cracked mirrors and bicycle frames .In a word, everything that absolutely is not necessary, but terribly interesting: once these things lived a real life, they were loved by their masters, and after they fell into disgrace, they were dusted and today they are sold at a trifling price as, perhaps, the best souvenir for memory from beautiful Milan .

Be attentive: on the days when markets go to Navigli, pickpockets often hurry around, hurrying to draw a purse or camera from the tourists who are scattering tourists.


The market in Navigli

Address: Alzaia Naviglio Grande, 158-160, Milan.