{"id":3080,"date":"2025-03-21T06:46:00","date_gmt":"2025-03-21T05:46:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bestfreetour.com\/?p=3080"},"modified":"2025-03-06T03:03:01","modified_gmt":"2025-03-06T02:03:01","slug":"san-bartolomeo-hospital","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bestfreetour.com\/it\/2025\/03\/21\/san-bartolomeo-hospital\/","title":{"rendered":"The Ancient Spedale di San Bartolomeo"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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San Batolomeo hospital<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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A Forgotten Treasure in Florence<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Walking between Via Santa Lucia and Via Il Prato<\/strong>, you can still find traces of an ancient medieval hospital: the Spedale di San Bartolomeo al Mugnone<\/strong>. Though time has changed the cityscape, some elements of this once-important structure remain visible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you pay close attention along Via Prato-Santa Lucia-Palazzuolo<\/strong>, you\u2019ll notice strong stone corners<\/strong> and an attic adorned with cherubs<\/strong>\u2014remnants of the hospital, now integrated into a more modern building.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Founder: A Merchant\u2019s Vision<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This medieval hospital was founded by Benuccio di Senni del Bene<\/strong>, a Florentine textile merchant<\/strong> specializing in \u201cpanni franceschi\u201d (French cloth). He was also an associate of the well-known Dino Compagni<\/a><\/strong>, a chronicler of Florence\u2019s history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Benuccio envisioned a place that could care for the sick and offer shelter to passing pilgrims<\/strong>. His dedication to the cause earned him the support of the Catholic Church<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Papal Approval: A Hospital Under the Holy See<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

On October 6, 1295<\/strong>, Pope Boniface VIII<\/a><\/strong> officially granted Benuccio administrative control over the hospital\u2019s funds. This was a significant decision\u2014unlike other hospitals in Florence, this one was placed directly under the Holy See\u2019s protection<\/strong>, meaning that the local bishop or clergy had no authority over it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A New Era: The Monastery Connection<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

By 1440<\/strong>, the San Batolomeo hospital underwent a major transformation. Pope Eugene IV<\/a><\/strong> decided to merge its assets with those of the nearby Monastery of San Martino della Scala<\/strong>. This change placed the hospital directly under the Apostolic See\u2019s jurisdiction<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally, in 1459<\/strong>, Pope Pius II<\/strong> issued a papal bull granting the monastery\u2019s nuns<\/strong> full control over the hospital\u2019s management and revenues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where to Find the Hospital\u2019s Remains Today<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of the San Bartolomeo hospital al Mugnone<\/strong> has disappeared, you can still find its traces in modern Florence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n