Ospedale civico "Vittorio Emanuele II"

The Vittorio Emanuele II Hospital in Catania (via Plebiscito, 628) is one of the most important hospitals in Sicily. It is located in San Cristoforo, the biggest and most ancient area of the city. The building has an imposing appearance, a rectangular form with an inner courtyard. The entrance from via Plebiscito is through a wide doorway that is decorated with false stone columns that contrast with the basalt plaster. The Hospital was built in 1880 but its history goes back five centuries.

In fact, it was founded in 1361 when the Senate approved its construction next to the Church of San Marco on the west of the current University Square (even if some authors think that it was built earlier1). It was originally named after saint Marc. Later, in 1693, the original hospital was destroyed by an earthquake, and so it was re-located to the palace of doctor Niccolò Tezzano.

Around 1880 the Hospital was moved to its current location, a former convent of Benedictine friars and was renamed “Vittorio Emanuele II Hospital”.


"Vittorio Emanuele II" Hospital - Front Gate

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"Vittorio Emanuele II" Hospital - Behind the front gate

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The wide shot of the entrance

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The monument of Vittorio Emanuele II

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Particulars of the statue

The gun balls have recorded the dates of Wars of Italian Independence.

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"Vittorio Emanuele II" Hospital - Courtyard

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Surgery Clinic

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Pediatric Clinic with the bust of an unknown physician

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The statue in the courtyard

This bust of Salvatore Tomaselli can be found in the courtyard of the Hospital.

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A. Orsini Digiacomo's memorial bust

This bust of A. Orsini Digiacomo can be found in the courtyard of the Hospital. On the stone basament, an Italian inscription reads as follows: " AD/ A. ORSINI DIGIACOMO/ MEDICO CAPO/ L'OSPEDALE".

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  • Photos by Mariarita Trapani moc.liamg|inapart.atirairam#| (December 2012)

Related items

Inside the hospital you can find:


Bibliography

- G. Dato, La città di Catania. Forma e struttura 1693-1833, Officina Grafica Moderna Impegnoso & Pulvirenti, Roma 1983

- G. Sorge, Lineamenti di storia dell’ospedalità civile catanese, Officina Grafica Moderna Impegnoso & Pulvirenti, Roma 1940



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