page_title: Hospital of Santa Maria Nuova
section_title: Origins
hierarchical_section_title: Hospital of Santa Maria Nuova / History and artistic profile / Origins
caption_attribution_description: Monna Tessa Sculpture, from Ospedale di Santa Maria Nuova, front view in Florence, Italy
context_page_description: The Hospital of Santa Maria Nuova is the oldest hospital still active in Florence, Italy.
context_section_description: The hospital was founded in 1288 by Folco Portinari, the father of Beatrice beloved by Dante. Folco was convinced to build the hospital by Monna Tessa, matriarch of the family, whose remains are buried under the tombstone is still visible in the Cloister of the Bones of the Hospital.
  This is one of the oldest and most important Florentine welfare institutions which became over the centuries very rich and powerful, thanks to the many legacies and donations. Besides the historical perspective, the hospital has a rich artistic legacy due to the profusion of decorations by some of the best Florentine artists over the centuries. Unfortunately, hospital needs have in many instances come into conflict with the need for conservation of artistic works. As such, there are many masterpieces in museums located nearby, such as Spedale degli Innocenti and San Marco Museum. The hospital was divided into two areas, female (woman's ward) and male (men's ward), and can accommodate about two hundred patients.
caption: The monument to the legendary Monna Tessa
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