The two edifices of five floodgates were built on a project by Leonardo Ximenes, on the occasion of his reclamation of Lake Bientina, begun in 1757. The purpose of the floodgates was to regulate the flow into the Arno of the waters of Lake Bientina by means of the Serezza Vecchia canal and, in particular, of the Imperial Canal, opened by Ximenes himself. In order to permit the continuous navigation of the Imperial Canal, two "supports" or sluices were also planned, which enabled boats to pass near the floodgates. Today, the two canals have been interred, and the buildings could do with restoration.