Ospedale degli Innocenti

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Ospedale degli Innocenti (Hospital of the Innocents), Florence

Ospedale degli Innocenti

building, Florence, Italy

Also known as: Foundling Hospital

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July 1, 2026

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Ospedale degli Innocenti (Hospital of the Innocents), Florence — Ospedale degli Innocenti (Hospital of the Innocents), Florence The arcade of the Ospedale degli Innocenti, Florence, designed by Filippo Brunelleschi, 1419–27.

The Ospedale degli Innocenti, completed in 1429 in Florence, Italy, is considered by some to be the first building to define the Renaissance architectural style. It was established as a foundling hospital by a wealthy merchants' guild to care for the city's orphans.1

Architect Filippo Brunelleschi designed the building, rejecting Gothic forms in favor of Classical Roman elements. He used freestanding columns supporting round-arched arcades and contrasted gray pietra serena architectural details with white stucco surfaces. The building's design, with its plain columns and ceramic tondi depicting babies above each column, is easily comparable to Roman models. The loggia expands into the public space, offering an open and protective facade that symbolizes the building's function.21

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arcade
, Filippo Brunelleschi’s Ospedale degli Innocenti in Florence). In Byzantine arcades, spreading blocks called impost blocks were often placed between the capitals and arches, a style used widely throughout the East.
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, Filippo Brunelleschi’s Ospedale degli Innocenti in Florence). In Byzantine arcades, spreading blocks called impost blocks were often placed between the capitals and arches, a style used widely throughout the East.
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Andrea della Robbia
…the facade of Filippo Brunelleschi’s Ospedale degli Innocenti in Florence (c. 1463). Andrea’s interest in narrative sculpture led him to develop from the reliefs of Luca a class of large polychrome reliefs, of which characteristic examples exist at numerous churches in Italy, including the Franciscan shrine at La Verna and…
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…the facade of Filippo Brunelleschi’s Ospedale degli Innocenti in Florence (c. 1463). Andrea’s interest in narrative sculpture led him to develop from the reliefs of Luca a class of large polychrome reliefs, of which characteristic examples exist at numerous churches in Italy, including the Franciscan shrine at La Verna and…
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Filippo Brunelleschi
Architectural career
…first major architectural commission, the Ospedale degli Innocenti (Hospital of the Innocents, or Foundling Hospital). Although the portico of the hospital is composed of many novel features, morphologically it still is related to traditions of Italian Romanesque and late Gothic architecture. The truly revolutionary aspects of the building emanated from…
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…first major architectural commission, the Ospedale degli Innocenti (Hospital of the Innocents, or Foundling Hospital). Although the portico of the hospital is composed of many novel features, morphologically it still is related to traditions of Italian Romanesque and late Gothic architecture. The truly revolutionary aspects of the building emanated from…
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Western architecture
Early Renaissance in Italy (1401–95)
The loggia of the Ospedale degli Innocenti (1419–51) was the first building in the Renaissance manner; a very graceful arcade was designed with Composite columns, and windows with Classical pediments were regularly spaced above each of the arches. This style was more fully exploited in the church of San…
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The loggia of the Ospedale degli Innocenti (1419–51) was the first building in the Renaissance manner; a very graceful arcade was designed with Composite columns, and windows with Classical pediments were regularly spaced above each of the arches. This style was more fully exploited in the church of San…
Read More