The origins

The origins

The origins

The Santo Spirito hospital complex is located inside the Borgo ward, nearby Vatican City. The hospital was erected in the thirteenth century, on a previously inhabited soil. In 1201 the church of Santa Maria in Sassia was annexed. Among the wonders of the hospital complex, the Corsia Sistina is an example.

The Santo Spirito hospital complex is located inside the Borgo ward, nearby Vatican City. The hospital was erected in the thirteenth century, on a previously inhabited soil. In 1201 the church of Santa Maria in Sassia was annexed. Among the wonders of the hospital complex, the Corsia Sistina is an example.

Santo Spirito

in Sassia Hospital

Santo Spirito

in Sassia Hospital

Santo Spirito in

Sassia Hospital

Plan your visit

In 1198, Pope Innocenzo III decided to rethink the ‘Schola Saxorum’ and turn it into a hospital: the Hospital of Santo Spirito in Sassia. The management of the hospital was entrusted to Guido di Montepellier, who had founded the order of the Holy Spirit and its confraternity in France, born with the purpose of providing charitable assistance to the poor and needy.

In 1201 the Pope donated the Santa Maria in Sassia curch and its hospice to the Santo Spirito confraternity. Innocenzo III’s goal was the creation of an extended order devoted to the assistance of sick people all over Europe. Being this the first non-military hospital, Innocenzo III’s initiative symbolized, for the first time, the moral and civil commitment towards the weaker, who were previously taken care by the religious orders only.

The costruction works managed by the architect Melchiorre d’Arezzo were completed in 1204, the exact moment in which the building was meant to be erected.

One of the most relevant aspects of Santo Spirito character was the will of offering shelter and assistance to all those children who were abandoned by their parents. In this regard, nowadays the “Ruota degli Esposti” is still present in Via del Borgo; we are talking about a cave incorporated into the hospital structure inside which the orphans could be anonymously abandoned.

In 1198, Pope Innocenzo III decided to rethink the ‘Schola Saxonum’ and turn it into a hospital: the Hospital of Santo Spirito in Sassia. The management of the hospital was entrusted to Guido di Montepellier, who had founded the order of the Holy Spirit and its confraternity in France, born with the purpose of providing charitable assistance to the poor and needy.

In 1201 the Pope donated the Santa Maria in Sassia curch and its hospice to the Santo Spirito confraternity. Innocenzo III’s goal was the creation of an extended order devoted to the assistance of sick people all over Europe. Being this the first non-military hospital, Innocenzo III’s initiative symbolized, for the first time, the moral and civil commitment towards the weaker, who were previously taken care by the religious orders only.

The costruction works managed by the architect Melchiorre d’Arezzo were completed in 1204, the exact moment in which the building was meant to be erected.

One of the most relevant aspects of Santo Spirito character was the will of offering shelter and assistance to all those children who were abandoned by their parents. In this regard, nowadays the “Ruota degli Esposti” is still present in Via del Borgo; we are talking about a cave incorporated into the hospital structure inside which the orphans could be anonymously abandoned.

In 1198, Pope Innocenzo III decided to rethink the ‘Schola Saxorum’ and turn it into a hospital: the Hospital of Santo Spirito in Sassia. The management of the hospital was entrusted to Guido di Montepellier, who had founded the order of the Holy Spirit and its confraternity in France, born with the purpose of providing charitable assistance to the poor and needy.

In 1201 the Pope donated the Santa Maria in Sassia curch and its hospice to the Santo Spirito confraternity. Innocenzo III’s goal was the creation of an extended order devoted to the assistance of sick people all over Europe. Being this the first non-military hospital, Innocenzo III’s initiative symbolized, for the first time, the moral and civil commitment towards the weaker, who were previously taken care by the religious orders only.

The costruction works managed by the architect Melchiorre d’Arezzo were completed in 1204, the exact moment in which the building was meant to be erected.

One of the most relevant aspects of Santo Spirito character was the will of offering shelter and assistance to all those children who were abandoned by their parents. In this regard, nowadays the “Ruota degli Esposti” is still present in Via del Borgo; we are talking about a cave incorporated into the hospital structure inside which the orphans could be anonymously abandoned.

The renovation of Santo Spirito is part of the general urban requalification of Rome, promoted by the Pope, ahead of the Giubileo of 1475. The Pope’s most important intervention was the creation of Corsia Sistina, a lengthwise structure interrupted by a central lantern, commissioned by the architect Baccio Pontelli,between 1474 and 1476.

Those who access from via di Borgo Santo Spirito, find the marble portal “del Paradiso” built by AndreaBregno, which enables the access to lantern, an architectonical octagonal structure. Within this space wecan find Andrea Palladio’s ciborium (his only roman work) and a XVII century painting from Andrea Maratta.

The lantern grants access to two lengthwise rooms, decorated with a fresco made between 1478 and 1481.They show the first construction phases of the hospital committed by Pope Innoncenzo III, in addition to the renovation phases of the XV century, under Sisto IV, whose aim was the glorification of his Papacy.

Throughout the years, Corsia Sistina has undergone several modifications. In the XVII century, pope Alessandro VII ordered the construction of Corsia Alessandrina, located perpendicularly with respect to the previously existing aisles. Since 1933, the Corsia Alessandrina hosts the Museo Nazionale di Storia dell’Arte Sanitaria dell’Accademia Alessandrina.

The renovation of Santo Spirito is part of the general urban requalification of Rome, promoted by the Pope, ahead of the Giubileo of 1475. The Pope’s most important intervention was the creation of Corsia Sistina, a lengthwise structure interrupted by a central lantern, commissioned by the architect Baccio Pontelli,between 1474 and 1476.

Those who access from via di Borgo Santo Spirito, find the marble portal “del Paradiso" built by Andrea Bregno, which enables the access to lantern, an architectonical octagonal structure. Within this space wecan find Andrea Palladio’s ciborium (his only roman work) and a XVII century painting from Andrea Maratta.

The lantern grants access to two lengthwise rooms, decorated with a fresco made between 1478 and 1481.They show the first construction phases of the hospital committed by Pope Innoncenzo III, in addition to the renovation phases of the XV century, under Sisto IV, whose aim was the glorification of his Papacy.

Throughout the years, Corsia Sistina has undergone several modifications. In the XVII century, pope Alessandro VII ordered the construction of Corsia Alessandrina, located perpendicularly with respect to the previously existing aisles. Since 1933, the Corsia Alessandrina hosts the Museo Nazionale di Storia dell’Arte Sanitaria dell’Accademia Alessandrina.

The renovation of Santo Spirito is part of the general urban requalification of Rome, promoted by the Pope, ahead of the Giubileo of 1475. The Pope’s most important intervention was the creation of Corsia Sistina, a lengthwise structure interrupted by a central lantern, commissioned by the architect Baccio Pontelli, between 1474 and 1476.

Those who access from via di Borgo Santo Spirito, find the marble portal “del Paradiso" built by Andrea Bregno, which enables the access to lantern, an architectonical octagonal structure. Within this space wecan find Andrea Palladio’s ciborium (his only roman work) and a XVII century painting from Andrea Maratta.

The lantern grants access to two lengthwise rooms, decorated with a fresco made between 1478 and 1481.They show the first construction phases of the hospital committed by Pope Innoncenzo III, in addition to the renovation phases of the XV century, under Sisto IV, whose aim was the glorification of his Papacy.

Throughout the years, Corsia Sistina has undergone several modifications. In the XVII century, pope Alessandro VII ordered the construction of Corsia Alessandrina, located perpendicularly with respect to the previously existing aisles. Since 1933, the Corsia Alessandrina hosts the Museo Nazionale di Storia dell’Arte Sanitaria dell’Accademia Alessandrina.

During the roman age, the area hosted a complex of imperial age buildings called Horti di Agrippina Maior, built around the Ist century b.c./Ist century a.d. between Gianicolo and Tevere. Now-a-days, while wondering in the cellars below the Sistine lanes of the fifteenth century, it is still possible to admire their archeological remains, such as opum reticulatum walls, mosaic floors, sculptures and frescoes.

During the roman age, the area hosted a complex of imperial age buildings called Horti di Agrippina Maior, built around the Ist century b.c./Ist century a.d. between Gianicolo and Tevere. Now-a-days, while wondering in the cellars below the Sistine lanes of the fifteenth century, it is still possible to admire their archeological remains, such as opum reticulatum walls, mosaic floors, sculptures and frescoes.

During the roman age, the area hosted a complex of imperial age buildings called Horti di Agrippina Maior, built around the Ist century b.c./Ist century a.d. between Gianicolo and Tevere. Now-a-days, while wondering in the cellars below the Sistine lanes of the fifteenth century, it is still possible to admire their archeological remains, such as opum reticulatum walls, mosaic floors, sculptures and frescoes.

During the roman age, the area hosted a complex of imperial age buildings called Horti di Agrippina Maior, built around the Ist century b.c./Ist century a.d. between Gianicolo and Tevere. Now-a-days, while wondering in the cellars below the Sistine lanes of the fifteenth century, it is still possible to admire their archeological remains, such as opum reticulatum walls, mosaic floors, sculptures and frescoes.

Between the eight and ninth century, a considerable number of pilgrims, belonging to different ethnicities,were brought to the surrounding areas by the desire to visit apostle Peter’s grave. In order to guarantee them protection and refreshment opportunities, the ‘scholae’ – wards administered by populations coming from Nothern Europe, as Anglosaxons, Bardi, Longobardi e Frissoni – were established.

Between the eight and ninth century, a considerable number of pilgrims, belonging to different ethnicities,were brought to the surrounding areas by the desire to visit apostle Peter’s grave. In order to guarantee them protection and refreshment opportunities, the ‘scholae’ – wards administered by populations coming from Nothern Europe, as Anglosaxons, Bardi, Longobardi e Frissoni – were established.

In the XVI century, the church was restructured and the former architecture was entirely replaced, with the exeption of the current bell tower. The constructions, started under pope Paolo III and directed by Antonio da Sangallo, came to an end in 1590, under Sisto V. The church, as we can admire it today, presents a single nave, endowed with nine niches on each side, which merge into a presbytery. In the inside, we can find a fresco realized by Commendatore Bernardino Cirillo, that retraces the most relevant events of hospital institution’s history.

During the second half of XVI century, the hospital underwent another renewal phase under Pio V. Among the works created, the Palazzo del Commendatore stands out for its beauty and importance, and its construction was entrusted to the architect Nanni di Baccio Bigio.

In 1575 Pope Gregory XIII appointed Commendatore Tesco Aldrovandi to complete the construction of the palace and the courtyard. Aldrovandi commissioned to the salernitano painter Ercole Perillo the pictorial decorations present both in the portico and on the first floor. A frieze occupies the entire length of the loggia, with a decorative scheme that favors heraldic, grotesque and landscape motifs.

In the XVI century, the church was restructured and the former architecture was entirely replaced, with the exeption of the current bell tower. The constructions, started under pope Paolo III and directed by Antonio da Sangallo, came to an end in 1590, under Sisto V. The church, as we can admire it today, presents a single nave, endowed with nine niches on each side, which merge into a presbytery. In the inside, we can find a fresco realized by Commendatore Bernardino Cirillo, that retraces the most relevant events of hospital institution’s history.

During the second half of XVI century, the hospital underwent another renewal phase under Pio V. Among the works created, the Palazzo del Commendatore stands out for its beauty and importance, and its construction was entrusted to the architect Nanni di Baccio Bigio.

In 1575 Pope Gregory XIII appointed Commendatore Tesco Aldrovandi to complete the construction of the palace and the courtyard. Aldrovandi commissioned to the salernitano painter Ercole Perillo the pictorial decorations present both in the portico and on the first floor. A frieze occupies the entire length of the loggia, with a decorative scheme that favors heraldic, grotesque and landscape motifs.

In the XVI century, the church was restructured and the former architecture was entirely replaced, with the exeption of the current bell tower. The constructions, started under pope Paolo III and directed by Antonio da Sangallo, came to an end in 1590, under Sisto V. The church, as we can admire it today, presents a single nave, endowed with nine niches on each side, which merge into a presbytery. In the inside, we can find a fresco realized by Commendatore Bernardino Cirillo, that retraces the most relevant events of hospital institution’s history.

During the second half of XVI century, the hospital underwent another renewal phase under Pio V. Among the works created, the Palazzo del Commendatore stands out for its beauty and importance, and its construction was entrusted to the architect Nanni di Baccio Bigio.

In 1575 Pope Gregory XIII appointed Commendatore Tesco Aldrovandi to complete the construction of the palace and the courtyard. Aldrovandi commissioned to the salernitano painter Ercole Perillo the pictorial decorations present both in the portico and on the first floor. A frieze occupies the entire length of the loggia, with a decorative scheme that favors heraldic, grotesque and landscape motifs.

In XVII century, only a few important works have been carried out, among which the intervention of Bernini and his school who worked at the entrance arch, which preceded Portale del Paradiso. The current consistency of the hospital complex, apart from the modern buildings and the adjustement of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, is substantially the one reached in the seventeenth century, even if the new urban situation partially mortifies its original value.

In XVII century, only a few important works have been carried out, among which the intervention of Bernini and his school who worked at the entrance arch, which preceded Portale del Paradiso. The current consistency of the hospital complex, apart from the modern buildings and the adjustement of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, is substantially the one reached in the seventeenth century, even if the new urban situation partially mortifies its original value.

In XVII century, only a few important works have been carried out, among which the intervention of Bernini and his school who worked at the entrance arch, which preceded Portale del Paradiso. The current consistency of the hospital complex, apart from the modern buildings and the adjustement of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, is substantially the one reached in the seventeenth century, even if the new urban situation partially mortifies its original value.

The Schola Saxorum

The Schola Saxonum

The Schola Saxonum

The Schola Saxorum

The Corsia Sistina

The Corsia Sistina

The Corsia Sistina

The interventions of the 16th century

The interventions of the 16th century

The interventions of the 16th century

From the 17th century to the present

From the 17th century to the present

From the 17th century to the present

Santo Spirito

in Sassia Hospital

The Santo Spirito hospital complex is located inside the Borgo ward, nearby Vatican City. The hospital was erected in the thirteenth century, on a previously inhabited soil. In 1201 the church of Santa Maria in Sassia was annexed. Among the wonders of the hospital complex, the Corsia Sistina is an example.

The Santo Spirito hospital complex is located inside the Borgo ward, nearby Vatican City. The hospital was erected in the thirteenth century, on a previously inhabited soil. In 1201 the church of Santa Maria in Sassia was annexed. Among the wonders of the hospital complex, the Corsia Sistina is an example.

The origins

Visit the hospital

Plan your visit