A Hidden Gem in Florence – Roaming Historian

A hidden gem in Florence, Italy is the Museo degli Innocenti, which tells the story of the children who were orphaned and taken in by the institution since the 1400s. “The Institute was founded in 1419 under the patronage of the Silk Guild to care for abandoned children, thanks to a bequest in the will of Prato merchant Francesco Datini and other Florentine merchants. Construction of the building was entrusted to Filippo Brunelleschi. Like every other hospitality facility of the period, it took the name Ospedale (or Spedale). Its activities began on February 5, 1445, with the arrival of the first child, who was given the name Agata e Smeralda.” (Museum website)

The itinerary starts in the basement of the museum where you see thoughtful displays of some artifacts and a nice timeline. The highlight for me of this area was the digitized stories of the children dating back to the first orphan (innocent) in the 1400s. Also on display in this area were some of the personal items the children were left with, including half medallions or coins so that their parents could later claim them.

On the ground level, you can roam around and see the original architecture of the building. The rest of the museum includes a Gallery of Frescoes (fabulous), an art gallery (just as spectacular) and a caffe (gorgeous views of the city). There are educational sections of the museum for children and there is also a rich archive (off limits to visitors though). The Historical Archives preserve the memory of the ancient hospital and those who lived there.This museum evokes the Florentine Renaissance and its new conception of man.

History of the Institute

“In 1419, the Corporazione dell’Arte della Seta di Por Santa Maria was commissioned to build the Hospital of Santa Maria degli Innocenti thanks to a donation of 1,000 florins from the Prato merchant Francesco Datini earmarked for the shelter of abandoned children. The design of the building was entrusted to Filippo Brunelleschi, at that time also engaged in the construction of the dome of Florence Cathedral. The Ospedale degli Innocenti thus became “the place of beauty” designated to take in abandoned children.

The hospital was inaugurated on February 5, 1445, with the arrival of the first newborn, who was given the name Agata e Smeralda, in honor of the saint of the day. The facility offered shelter to girls and babies left anonymously in the stack under the outside loggia, later replaced with…