Known as The “Spedale” degli Innocenti, the building was designed and constructed under the direction of Filippo Brunelleschi. Commissioned in the fifteenth century, by the Arte della Seta (silk Guild of Florence), it was originally intended as an orphanage for abandoned children.

Children left there were assured nourishment, schooling and training for work.

At the end of the nineteenth century it was decided to set up viewing rooms to show artworks and altarpieces from the Church of the Innocents, and material related to the history of the hospital.

Over the years the collection has grown. The “Museo degli Innocenti” is entirely Italian and unique, as it displays quite a particular cross-section of society.