LEONARDO DA VINCI (VINCI 1452-AMBOISE 1519)
The Arno valley with the route of a proposed canal
c.1503-4RCIN 912279
Leonardo promoted a scheme for a canal from Florence towards the sea, as the Arno is not navigable through rapids to the west of the city. This vigorous drawing shows his proposed route: north from Florence (at right) via Prato and Pistoia, then through a deep cut in a mountain pass, rejoining the Arno near Pisa. There is no evidence that his plans were ever seriously considered by the Florentine government.