♦ Museo degli Innocenti: The Story of Europe’s Oldest Foundling Hospital, Ospedale degl’Innocenti ♦

In my last post about the Opera del Duomo Museo dedicated to the works of the Santa Maria del Fiore, I shared about the fact that I do love museums. So, when someone, especially a local or fellow Italophile, suggests I visit a lesser known museum, I immediately put it on my “list”!

That is exactly how I learned of the Museo degli Innocenti in Florence and when I was in Florence in 2018, I put it on my list of places to visit and I’m so very glad that I did..

The Innocenti Museum is one of the “newer” museums in Florence. However, although the museum is only three years old, the history and legacy of the Ospedale degl’Innocenti goes back to the 15th century as the first institution in the world devoted exclusively to child care and welcoming abandoned children.

The museum has been  beautifully curated, demonstrating a great deal of sensitivity and compassion. It chronicles the history and stories of how thousands of orphaned babies, innocents, were accepted and lovingly nurtured and raised in the Ospedale for centuries.

Ospedale degl’Innocenti (Nocenti)
“There is… the never sufficiently praised Ospedale degl’Innocenti, commonly known as the Nocenti, which, in an imposing edifice with two large orchards, takes in, feeds, clothes and raises with whatever is needful, all boys and girls who are brought there by anyone for whatever reason on the sole condition that they fit through a hole in a grated window place there for the purpose.”
Benedetto Varchi, 1528

◊ Beginnings ◊

In the first half of the 15th century, of the hospitals and institutions caring for the sick and providing temporary shelter in Florence, only two took in abandoned children.

It was the silk weavers’ guild, Arte della Seta, that took a personal interest in addressing care for children. When, in 1410, Francesco Datini, a merchant from Prato, left 1,000 florins to found a hospital for foundlings and the guild purchased a piece of land in 1419, plans were put in place. Construction of a new Hospital began in 1421 on Piazza del Servi.

Based on a design by Brunelleschi it was completed and opened in 1445. The building also has the distinction of marking the birth of Renaissance architecture. For over 20 years the guild managed the site and paid for the Hospital’s construction.

◊ A Legacy of Charity ◊

The first newborn baby, Agata, was taken in in 1445. Children were passed into the Hospital through a window covered with an iron gate which was only big enough for newborn babies to fit through. By the end of the 15th century, there were already almost 1,000 children. The population continued to grow into the 1500’s with a large proportion of the children being girls.

Life at the Innocenti began with only the few things they had when they entered and continued from breast feeding (wet nurses), to weaning to education and jobs.

Initially in-house wet nurses took care of the infants, some were then fostered in the countryside until they were 2 years old and then returned to the Ospedale. They were placed for adoption and, eventually, for jobs.

Over time changes and improvements were made. An education curriculum for boys and a program governing the women’s community living in the Hospital was introduced in the mid 15th century. Boys were taught to read and skills according to their abilities while girls were taught domestic skills and those suitable women’s occupations. More attention was focused on the conduct of the boys and girls and by the end of 16th century, religion began to play a bigger role in daily life as well. Much like convents, separate areas were designated for women. Girls were provided with a dowry and had the option of getting married or becoming nuns.

In 1875, the grated window was walled up and babies were received at a Delivery Office. Between 1875 and 1900 the Innocenti got electric lighting new bathrooms and kitchens and hot and cold running water. The name changed to brefotrofio meaning “place where children are fed”.

According to their website, today the Innocenti Institute (Istituto degli Innocenti L’Assistenza dell’Infanzia) continues their worthwhile advocacy and work:

“…now a Public Service Enterprise providing services to individuals and committed to promoting the rights of children and adolescents through educational and reception services, training programmes and research and documentation services.”

◊ About the Grated Window ◊

The admissions window with the iron grate was just large enough for newborn babies to be passed through anonymously. It was in front of a concave stone wheel, pila, where babies were laid on a cushion/crib. It was closed in 1875.

The epigraph reads:
“For four centuries this was the wheel of the Innocents,
secret refuge from misery and shame for those to whom
charity never closed its door.”

◊ About the Symbol of Innocenti: Putti in Fasce (Babe in Swaddling Clothes) ◊

The belief at the time was that a newborn swaddled (wrapped in tight lengths of cloth) would protect them and make their bones grow straight. Hence, the “babe in swaddling clothes”, became the symbol of Innocenti.

Placed in the ten tondos* of the Loggia in 1487, the glazed terra-cotta reliefs of babies by Andrea Della Robbia became very popular and remain the emblem of the Ospedate til this day. All of the tondi were replaced after being restored (2014-2016) and only two (in fragile condition) are left for display.

*A tondo is a Renaissance term for a circular work of art, either a painting or a sculpture. The word derives from the Italian rotondo, “round”.

◊ About the “Marks of Recognition” ◊

Identification “marks” or items referred to as “marks of recognition” were small mementos pinned to the child by the parent in the hope and belief they would help unite them one day.

Typically it was 1/2 of a medal or other sentimental remembrance/keepsake such as a message, rosary, piece of ribbon, ring, crucifix, beads or a button. A card filled out for each child noted the small items as well as the child’s health and other details/ information for identification.

This touching display of over 100 preserved keepsakes identified with name and date the baby was left by the parent is undoubtedly one of the most heart rending I have every seen. Each drawer is labeled with the child’s name and the date they arrived and represents a moving story; a difficult decision, a loss, sacrifice, love, hope, charity and a new life…

♦ Innocenti Museum Opens Its Doors ♦ 

♦ After 3 years of works, the Innocenti Museum reopened its doors on June 24th, 2016, to the public. ♦

Your visit begins with an excellent introductory video about the Ospedale and the audio guide walks you through the story of how the abandoned children were cared for and those who were dedicated to their welfare.

Compelling multi-media exhibits include: photos, touch screen archives and video testimonials of surviving Innocenti adults or family members sharing their story;  a story representing thousands of lives and the poignant legacy of compassion and charity.

◊ Innocenti Museum and Institute Today ◊

The Museum also includes a significant gallery of notable Renaissance artists including: Botticelli,, Ghirlandaio, Vasari, Angelico and Luca della Robbia.

Today, the Institute continues its work and advocacy for the rights of children. The website says it best:

“A story that links the past and the present of the Innocenti Institute, that for six centuries has promoted children’s rights. The Innocenti Museum is located in the monumental complex that includes the building designed by Filippo Brunelleschi, an early example of Renaissance architecture. The visit is a journey of discovery of a unique cultural heritage because it is so closely linked to the Institute’s activities on behalf of children. The combination of exhibits, architecture and, documented memory is witness to an uninterrupted history of care and help for children and families and a continuing relationship between the Hospital and the Institute, now a Public Service Enterprise providing services to individuals and committed to promoting the rights of children and adolescents through educational and reception services, training programmes and research and documentation services. “

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Interesting factoid: The last names Innocenti and Nocenti are extremely common throughout Florence and Tuscany attesting to the long-lasting legacy to the Innocenti Ospedale.

The Innocenti Museum is a worthwhile destination the next time you visit Florence and I hope that’s in the near future!

Location:
Piazza Santissima Annunziata, 13 50122 Firenze
+39 055 2037308
Hours: Monday to Friday from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm

More:
https://www.museodeglinnocenti.it/en/
https://www.istitutodeglinnocenti.it/?q=content/home
https://www.visitflorence.com/florence-museums/innocenti-museum.html

• CLICK HERE For Links to Other Museum Visits You May Enjoy!

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