Britannica Sources used in this answer

How did the Naviglio Grande Canal support the construction of Milan Cathedral?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

View of Utrecht's Oude Gracht canal lined with historic brick buildings, arched doorways at water level, and boats moored along the canal edge in the Netherlands. — canals and inland waterways The *Oudegracht* (Old Canal), Utrecht, Netherlands.

The Naviglio Grande Canal played a vital role in the construction of Milan Cathedral by serving as a primary transportation route for building materials. Specifically, the canal was used to carry stone and marble from quarries to the city.12

To facilitate this transport, the canal was linked with an old moat, allowing barges to deliver heavy materials directly to the construction site. Additionally, the canal's infrastructure was improved to support these logistical needs; for instance, a single lock with vertically lifting gates was built on the waterway in 1438 to help manage navigation.21