The first project of a modern sewer system for Milan was proposed to the City Council in 1868 by engineer Felice Poggi and those at Cesa Bianchi and Bignam. However this project would only cover Milan’s older ”downtown” district and excluded the outskirts past the canals and city wall. Construction was slow and arduous, taking almost ten years to build around 3700m of pipeline. The City Council pressured Poggi over the slow rate of development who stated that it would take years before a city wide network would be possible.

Due to the ever increasing population and the subsequent urban development it was no longer viable to continue building a sewer under each new road as its constructed. As such in 1884 the first official plans for a city wide sewer network were discussed. In the following years two independent studies were commissioned tasked with looking into the probable requirements and solutions to the growing sewage problem. Eventually both came to the same conclusion, the sewage network was vital. In January of 1888 the Town Council established a small section at the Municipal Technical Office supervised by Felice Poggi tasked with preparing the first draft for the network. The project was completed in 1893 and work began immediately and quickly. By 1897 almost 61km of pipeline, 18km of which being interceptors had already been constructed.

Over the following years the Municipal Technical’s sewer project was hindered by a sharp decline in public support, political change and severe heavy disruption from urban expansion. As a result alterations to the original plan were made allowing for the current and future expansion of the city, these changes were implemented until initial completion in 1923. As with all sewer projects, the work is never done. Further alterations, additions, redesigns and rebuilds took place throughout the early to late 1900′s resulting in the network that exists today.

So here we are, 9 meters under the streets of Milan, standing in the sentimental heart of its sewer network. Much like the ornate Victorian pumping stations in London, it was built as a functional show piece, a way of convincing investors that the money would, and has been well spent.

Sizing up at around 2250M², this was hydraulic hub for the network. It is here where the two main collectors for the city pass. Construction on the chamber’s and connecting tunnels and passageways began in 1900 using materials such as granite, brick, concrete and stone and was eventually completed in 1927. In other words, sewer porn.

There is not much that can or in fact needs to be said regarding this place. I personally feel the pictures speak for more then i could ever write. We were in the biggest, most feature packed and intricate section of sewer i have ever explored, and i was loving every minute of it. While sewers are not in competition with each other, if they were, this would be the unchallenged winner.

Needless to say having seen but a pin pricks worth of what Milan has to offer, there is much to do!