Adigé

Adigé (Ger. Etsch; ancient Athësis), after the Po, the most important river in Italy, rises in the Rhætian Alps, and is formed by various streamlets which descend from these mountains and unite at Glurns. From Glurns it flows east into Tyrol, then, after a slight détour to the south-east, it flows due south past Trent and Roveredo into Lombardy, and, passing Verona, takes a south-eastern sweep, discharging its waters into the Adriatic, not far north of the Po. It is very rapid, and subject to sudden swellings and overflows, which cause great damage to the surrounding country. Its banks have repeatedly been the scenes of bloody engagements. Its length is about 250 miles; its breadth in the plain of Lombardy, 650 feet; its depth, from 10 to 16 feet. It is navigable as far as Trent, but the navigation is difficult, on account of the swiftness of the current.