Antico Spedale del Bigallo

Founded in 1214 by Dioticidiede di Bonaguida del Dado, the Antico Spedale del Bigallo (Ancient Hospital of Bigallo) is located in the hills of Bagno a Ripoli and offers up a splendid landscape with views of Florence. The toponym “Bigallo” can be traced back to the place name of Bivius Galli, as a ‘bivio’ or crossroads between the ancient Via del Gallo and Via Aretina.

In 1245, ownership and management of the Antico Spedale del Bigallo passed to a religious confraternity in Florence, consisting mainly of seculars, the Compagnia di Santa Maria Maggiore, which would take the name Compagnia del Bigallo. 

At the end of the 15ᵗʰ century, the Ancient Hospital of Bigallo welcomed nuns from the Cloistered Monastery of Casignan, who officially made this their new convent in 1503, keeping the hospital open for the poor and wayfarers.  During the 1600s, the church was modified and the sacristy built. When the monastery was closed by the French government in 1808, the building was converted into civilian housing.

The Spedale del Bigallo complex is truly large, consisting of a plethora of rooms. A hostel was forged from the already restored premises, returning the hospital to its original function.

Inside is the large and impressive refectory hall with coffered ceiling and pulpit, now used as a conference hall, connected to the beautiful monumental kitchen, where the large fireplace supported by stone columns and the old stone sink are still preserved. On the upper floor is the hostel, divided into several rooms, furnished with inspiration from medieval hospitals.