About
Bologna's lost canals are glimpsed through a small window on Via Piella.
In Bologna, the canals that were constructed in the 12th century on the Savena and Reno rivers make up an extensive system of over 37 miles. This hydraulic system of locks and pipes was responsible for aiding silk manufacturing and trading as well as other trades such as tobacco and flour. Unfortunately, many of these channels have since been covered, leaving them out of sight; buildings and roads now occupy their place. Nonetheless, this bustling Italian city was once a major hub for silk production; something that is easy to overlook but helped establish Bologna's rich history.
