Hospital of the Innocents

The Hospital of the Innocents is a historic institution located in Florence, in Piazza della Santissima Annunziata. Its history began in 1419 when Filippo Brunelleschi was commissioned to design a building to accommodate and care for abandoned children. The hospital, founded thanks to a bequest from the merchant Francesco Datini and under the patronage of the Silk Guild, is the first example of Renaissance architecture in Florence. The loggia of the building, with its nine arches, is one of the distinctive features of Brunelleschi’s design. The simplicity and elegance of the columns in pietra serena, combined with the white plaster, create a harmony of forms that will become typical of Florentine Renaissance architecture. The module used by Brunelleschi, based on the distance between the columns, is repeated throughout the building, giving it a geometric and visual coherence that will influence later architecture. Work officially began in 1421 with the laying of the first column and continued until 1445. However, some modifications were made to the original project after Brunelleschi’s death. Francesco della Luna, Brunelleschi’s successor, added a floor above the portico and other modifications that have been criticized for deviating from the master’s original idea. A significant decorative element of the portico is the series of glazed terracotta roundels made by Andrea della Robbia in 1487. These roundels, depicting swaddled children, became a symbol of the hospital and are considered masterpieces of Renaissance art. The interior of the hospital is equally rich in history and art. The complex initially included a church, a dormitory for children, and various service spaces. The church, dedicated to Santa Maria degli Innocenti, was renovated in 1785 by Bernardo Fallani. The frescoes and internal decorations reflect the importance of the hospital as a center of charity and culture. Life in the hospital was organized with great care and attention. Abandoned children, called “innocents,” were welcomed through a “wheel,” a barred window where they could be left anonymously. This system, active until 1875, allowed many newborns to be saved from the streets and certain death. The guests were educated and trained in various trades, ensuring them a dignified future. Girls often worked for the Silk Guild, while boys were trained in artisan workshops. The hospital not only provided shelter and education, but also played a pioneering role in healthcare. In 1756, the first smallpox vaccination in Italy was carried out here, marking an important step in the history of medicine. Over the centuries, the Hospital of the Innocents has undergone numerous restoration and adaptation interventions. In the 19th century, the architect Leopoldo Pasqui undertook a major restoration that included the replacement of columns damaged by the earthquake of 1842. In the 20th century, further restorations were carried out to preserve the structure and the artworks inside. Today, the Hospital of the Innocents is a multifunctional complex housing a museum, a documentation and analysis center on childhood and adolescence, and various social and cultural activities. The Museum of the Innocents, inaugurated in its current form in 2016, offers a vast collection of artworks and historical testimonies that tell the centuries-old history of the institution and its commitment to caring for children. A visit to the Hospital of the Innocents allows you to discover not only the beauty of Renaissance architecture and the artworks it contains, but also to understand the historical and social importance of this place. The museum spaces offer a journey through the centuries, with documents, objects, and testimonies illustrating the daily life of the young guests and the role of the hospital in Florentine society. An interesting anecdote concerns the connection of the hospital with the Silk Guild, one of the most powerful guilds in Florence. The members of the Silk Guild not only financed the construction of the hospital, but also continued to support it over time, demonstrating a lasting commitment to the well-being of abandoned children. This collaboration between benefactors and charitable institutions is an example of how solidarity and philanthropy have deep roots in the history of Florence.