This ancient washhouse is located along the course of an artificial canal dug around 1200, called Roggia Maestra, which once flowed openly through the center of Schio, while today it mostly runs underground, surfacing only at certain points.
Under the roof of the washhouse on via Fogazzaro, you can see the rainwater reservoir that still supplied water to the four taps. This one is considered, probably, the last remaining in Schio and shows an intent of architectural refinement, with its two cast-iron columns and the elaborate supporting capital of the water reservoir and the roof covered in tiles.
It was restored at the end of the 1990s; the work was completed in 2001.
It now appears very well-maintained and enriched by a small garden in front; nearby, a section of the Roggia Maestra continues to flow openly for centuries. The metal roofing was replaced with tiles and lighting was activated. The project also included the re-environmentalization appropriate to the time of the washhouse's construction; the benches, in fact, are made of wood in late 19th century style, and the plants in the garden, on the east side, were commonly used in gardens of the time such as callas, hydrangeas, and boxwood hedges.
This is the last remaining of over 20 present in Schio in the early 20th century. There is one left on a side street of via Porta di sotto. We have information that others were located in contrà Ressecco, Boggiole, in Giavenale, and in the current Le Fontane center on via XXIX Aprile. The washhouses of Lanerossi located along via XX Settembre were significant.
Photo: archive of the Municipality of Schio.
