Parco Pubblico Adda Mallero Renato Bartesaghi

The Parco Adda Mallero Renato Bartesaghi is a large public park at the confluence of the Mallero and Adda rivers in Sondrio. Its paths, landscaped basins and lakes make the rivers central features of the urban landscape.

Why it matters

The park was created through the Parco dell’Innovazione project, which brought roughly twenty hectares of land into public use. Its design uses excavated basins and channels to make the confluence’s changing water levels part of the landscape. The park is named for Renato Bartesaghi, a Credito Valtellinese executive who promoted the project, and connects the city’s green space with the Sentiero Valtellina route.

What to notice

The water system includes three basins: a biolake using pumped circulation and natural filtration by aquatic vegetation and microorganisms, a water-lily lake receiving its overflow, and an alpine lake supplied by groundwater. Ditches link the basins, returning excess water to the Adda. Paths and planted areas follow this designed relationship between the park and the two rivers.

Context and history

The park was part of Sondrio’s Parco dell’Innovazione urban project. Private owners transferred about twenty hectares to the municipality for public use at the confluence south of the city. The design foregrounded local hydrology through lakes and channels, rather than separating the urban landscape from the rivers. Its dedication commemorates Renato Bartesaghi, who promoted the project.