Two kings, two statutes, two hospitals: how Santa Maria Nuova inspired the creation of the Savoy Hospital in London

Lecture in English by Manila Soffici

 

Santa Maria Nuova in Florence is the oldest continuously functioning hospital in the world, having been founded in 1288 by Folco Portinari, the father of Dante’s Beatrice. Leonardo da Vinci carried out dissections there as part of his anatomical studies. Santa Maria Nuova’s statue had an important influence on that of the Savoy Hospital, London, founded in 1512. Manila Soffici is attached to the School of Psychology at the University of Florence.

 

 

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