The first Arezzo hospital was founded around 1215 thanks to the donation of some land by Giambianco Visdomini and his wife Cecilia; among its tasks also that of welcoming and raising the "throwaways". It received the name “Spedale del Ponte della Misericordia” in 1588 and “Santa Maria sopra i Ponti” in 1773. It was the largest of the city's hospitals intended for the assistance of the needy and managed by the Fraternita dei Laici, which provided for their maintenance through its considerable real estate and land assets. During the 18th century it became one of the most important and modern in the Grand Duchy; according to the Leopold regulation of 1784 the hospital is the largest and most equipped in Arezzo. In 1924 the Institute was moved to the new building located near the church of Santa Croce.
In the photos below we present the hospital from different points of view, comparing some current views with older photos taken from the book "L'uomo, i mali e gli spedali dell'antica Arezzo" by G. Pellicci and C. Viviani (Aretina Libri, Arezzo 1991).
View of the hospital from the "Piazzetta sopra i ponti"
View of the hospital from via Roma
View of the hospital from via Garibaldi
View of the hospital from via Madonna del Prato
- Photos by Federica Bruschi moc.liamg|30aciredef.b#| (February 2023)
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