Via del Fosso, Lucca

Officially named Via del Fosso, but affectionately called "Via dei Fossi" by locals, this historic street is one of the most characteristic and evocative in Lucca. Luccans use the plural for its name, reflecting its original layout. After the Madonna dello Stellario widens, the street extends toward the city walls. In 1821, a third section was covered, now Corso Garibaldi, which dazzles in early March with blooming Japanese magnolias.

Via dei Fossi originated in 1376 alongside a defensive moat on Lucca’s eastern walls. Over time, it became an industrial hub, with its canal powering silk workshops. Lucca was among the first in Europe to use hydraulic energy for large-scale silk production. In the 14th century, political turmoil drove artisans to Venice and Bologna, where they spread their advanced techniques, shaping Northern Italy’s silk industry.

Today, the street still bears architectural traces of its industrious past. Many buildings feature open roof terraces once used as drying racks for fabrics, while their ground floors house vaulted spaces that accommodate water-powered machinery. These elements reflect the crucial role water played in the silk production chain.

In 1822, under the commission of Duchess Maria Luisa of Bourbon, architect Lorenzo Nottolini designed a grand waterway to bring fresh spring water from the hills south of Lucca to the city center. His work included two neoclassical fountains, which are still in use today, providing locals with "clear and pure waters."

Strolling Via dei Fossi reveals Lucca’s history and hidden gems. Highlights include Villa Bottini-Buonvisi, the only traditional Luccan villa within the city walls, with its elegant garden and loggia. Nearby, the 16th-century SS. Trinità church once housed Matteo Civitali’s Madonna del Latte. A short walk leads to Porta San Gervasio, one of Lucca’s last medieval gates.

At the southern end of Via dei Fossi stands the Church of the Rose (Chiesa della Rosa), a rare Gothic church from 1309. Though old trades have faded, Lucca’s eastern side-Piazza San Francesco, Via della Zecca, and Porta dei Borghi-is now a vibrant hub of artists, craftsmen, breweries, and top trattorias. Palazzo Boccella, home to the Museum of Contemporary Art, adds a modern flair to the area.