Fontana Vecchia was the public wash house of Campobasso that inspired poets and songwriters, such as Lino Tabasso, Turillo Tucci, Tonino Armagno, Franz Paolone, Pietro Di Toro, etc. The fountain, made with local stone, was built probably at the beginning of the seventeenth century whose use was regulated to have three distinct sections a fountain for drinking water, a drinking trough, a sink.
Today Fontana Vecchia keeps intact the original hydraulic system while its public function has changed, the space has in fact become the place that characterizes the popular culture of Campobasso.
Many of the houses that are present in the area belong to Roma community. They came and settled in Molise between the end of the thirteenth and the beginning of the fourteenth century. They are Italian citizens from many generations. They mainly speak Italian and also the ancient Romani language, with dialectal nuances. They both actively participate to city traditions and preserve characteristic elements of their roots culture.
In 1711 a special document was drawn up to regulate the operation of the Fountain.
The ancient name of that place was "delle Cancellate della Fontana”, the fountain was used only to take the water to drink and for household use.
The animals had to be taken to drink in the special watering place, and to avoid polluting the water, women were not allowed to wash clothes.
The clothes had to be washed in the "wash-house" where there are suitable stones located under a roof tile.