Atlas Wash-house at Cardano

In the Como area, public wash-houses started to be built in the 19th century, gradually establishing a network of basic services for the settlements. They remained in use until the 1960s. Despite its structural simplicity, the architectural features of the Cardano wash-house show how a strictly functional artefact can become a sign of urban decor and still serve as a social focus, though its use has declined.