Navicelli channel Live Cam

The Navicelli Channel, also known as the "Canale dei Navicelli," is an important historical waterway located in Tuscany, Italy. Its construction and development played a significant role in the region's economic and maritime history.

Construction and Purpose: The channel was built between 1563 and 1575 during the rule of Grand Duke Cosimo I de' Medici of Tuscany. The primary purpose of its construction was to connect the city of Pisa to the nearby port town of Livorno, which lies on the western coast of Tuscany along the Ligurian Sea.

The channel was designed to facilitate the transportation of goods and merchandise, particularly timber, from the interior of Tuscany to the port of Livorno. This made it easier for Pisa, and the surrounding areas, to engage in maritime trade and participate in the flourishing maritime commerce of the time.

Layout and Function: The Navicelli Channel is an artificial waterway with a length of about 20 kilometers (approximately 12.5 miles). It runs in a nearly straight line, following a gentle gradient to ensure a smooth flow of water. The channel was initially navigated using flat-bottomed boats known as "navicelli," which were specifically designed for this waterway.