Via del Fosso, Chiesa di S.Maria Bianca, Piazza della Colonna Mozza

Via del Fosso, the Church of S. Maria Bianca and Piazza "Colonna Mozza"

Via del Fosso, whose name originates from the channel crossing the city from the North to the South, stretched in parallel to the Porta dei "Santi Gervasio e Protasio".

At the beginning it surrounded the city, but later it was included inside it. It is one of the longest and most harmonious streets in Lucca (from Piazza della Rosa it runs through the city to the junction with Via dei Borghi and Piazza Luigi Varanini).
Two thirds of its current route (between the Botanical Gardens and the Madonna dello Stellario) made up a part of the ancient circumvallation around the thirteenth-century circle of walls.

Foreshortened iew of Via dei Fossi

Walking on along Via Elisa, after having gone beyond the junction with Via dei Fossi, we find Via Santa Croce. Not too far on the left there is Piazza S. Maria Forisportam and the church with the same name. In the middle of the square we can see a column, called "Colonna Mozza" (Docked Column) because of its form. Between the 13th and 16th century it marked the finish line, where the "palio" (the price given to the horses, which won the races, taking place in those years) was situated. The most famous one was the racing of "Barberi": the horses were set free in Piazza S. Donato and ran along Via S. Paolino, Piazza S. Michele and Via Santa Croce.

Even Lorenzo the Magnificent let his horses take part in these races. The Church of S. Maria Forisportam, called this way because of its original position outside the Middle-Ages circle of walls, face the square with the "Docked Column" and it is better known as the Church of S. Maria Bianca owing to its marble facing, made of white limestone. The construction works were finished in the 12th century. Walking on to the South along Via della Rosa from Piazza S. Maria, we arrive to the Church of S. Maria della Rosa. The oratory, dedicated to S. Paolo and consecrated to S. Maria della Rosa, was built in 1309 and in 1333 it was enlarged to the Roman walls, which we can still see inside the church.