Public wash house, Public wash house in Ulassai, Italy
The public wash house in Ulassai is a rectangular structure with three arched stone openings that form the main facade. Inside are two rows of eight basins separated by a central wall, with whitewashed interior surfaces that reflect light and retain the original water delivery system.
The wash house was constructed between 1903 and 1905 under mayor Antonio Cannas, designed by engineer Ernesto Ravot from Cagliari. It was built as part of the town's infrastructure improvements to provide running water for laundry work.
The building houses installations by artists including Maria Lai, who in the 1980s added contemporary works that turned it into part of a larger open-air art project. These additions have given the space a second life as a gallery where local and visiting artists continue to leave their mark.
The building is located on Via Santa Croce within the town center and is easy to reach on foot from the main areas. The open sides and good lighting from the arched openings make it comfortable to visit at any time of day.
Above the basin area, Maria Lai's rope installation creates an interwoven pattern tied to iron tubes that mimics a traditional loom, with tree trunks embedded in the walls adding an earthy touch. This overhead artwork transforms the functional space into something that feels part craft tradition and part gallery.
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