The Construction Projects of Fernando I

Grand Duke Fernando dedicated his rule to improving the lives of his subjects, and by extension the Tuscan state. One of his grand undertakings were extensive development projects in Tuscany.\nUnder his rule, roads were improved and developed across the duchy. Even more significantly, he oversaw the draining of much Tuscan marshland around Pisa, opening new land for settlement and industry. This was done by, among other things, the diverting of the Arno River into the Naviglio Canal, which served to improve commerce between Florence and Pisa.