Santa Maria Nuova Hospital in Florence, a place in the city center worth it to visit. Santa Maria Nuova is the oldest still active hospital in Florence. The hospital was founded in 1288 by Folco Portinari, the father of Beatrice beloved by Dante. Folco was convinced to build the hospital by Monna Tessa, matriarch of the family, whose remains are buried under the tombstone is still visible in the Bones Cloister of the Hospital.

This is one of the most important Florentine welfare institutions which became over the centuries rich and powerful, thanks to the many legacies and donations. Besides its history, this hospital has a rich artistic legacydue to the profusion of decorations made by some of the best Florentine artists ever as Giovanni della Robbia, Michelozzo, Niccolò di Pietro Gerini, Fra Bartolomeo, Giambologna, Alessandro Allori, Bernardo Buontalenti, Bernardo Buontalenti, and many others.

Today, June 21, the Santa Maria Nuova Foundation has organized an invitation-only fundraising dinner with the only purpose of restoring the hospital’s basements. This is part of the fundraising campaign launched during its 730th anniversary.

The subterranean zone of the historic building is home to “Leonardo’s basins”. It is said that it was here where Da Vinci dissected human cadavers, although records bear no proof of this having occurred. This was the underground passageway that the oblate nuns, the hospital’s former nurses, used to reach the wards from the nearby convent.

On June 23, the hospital will be opening its doors to the public with a book presentation scheduled at 11:00 am, free guided tours at 7:00 pm, the meet point will be outside the hospital entrance at 6:50 pm and a classical concert at 9:00 pm in the church of Sant’Egidio. An opportunity to remember the history of this extraordinary place of care and help.