Museo degli Innocenti
Museum in the former hospital for abandoned children designed by Brunelleschi, with works of art, detached frescoes and a route on the history of the institution.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Ospedale degli Innocenti was founded in 1419, when the Silk Guild (Arte della Seta) decided to build a shelter for abandoned children, thanks to a bequest from the merchant Francesco Datini. The design of the building, with its famous loggia, is by Filippo Brunelleschi. The hospital admitted its first child on 5 February 1445. Newborns were left at an anonymous reception point under the portico, later replaced by a window with a grille, which is still visible. The anonymous wheel system was abolished in 1875, and in 2004 the institution became a company providing personal services.
The museum opened to the public in 1890 with 77 works in three rooms on the ground floor, including the Adoration of the Magi by Domenico Ghirlandaio. After the flood of 1966 the collection was moved to the gallery above the portico, and the museum reopened on 27 June 1971, with the addition of a gallery of detached frescoes.
The present display was inaugurated in 2016. It is organised into three routes, devoted to history, art and architecture, which link the past of the institution, its collections and the building itself. Today the Istituto degli Innocenti is active in supporting children and families and in research and the protection of heritage.
Highlights
- Brunelleschi’s loggia in Piazza della Santissima Annunziata
- Adoration of the Magi by Domenico Ghirlandaio
- Gallery of detached frescoes
- Route on the history of the hospital and the care of abandoned children
- Caffè del Verone with terrace
Permanent exhibitions
- Percorso Storia – Tells the story of the hospital from its origins to the 20th century, and of the care of abandoned children.
- Galleria degli affreschi – Detached frescoes and paintings from the collection, including Ghirlandaio’s Adoration of the Magi.
- Founded
- 1890
- Operated by
- Istituto degli Innocenti
- Visitors per year
- approx. 80,764
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €9 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €7Young people aged 11 to 17, organised groups of 7 to 20 people, ISIC card holders, law enforcement personnel and partner agreements |
| Children & teens | €7free up to age 10 · Free admission up to 10 years; ages 11 to 17 with reduced ticket. |
| Visitors with disabilities | freecompanion free · Free admission for visitors with certified disabilities and one companion; no booking required. |
| Students & apprentices | –Free for teachers and university students of certain faculties (Engineering, Architecture, Humanities and Philosophy, Conservation and Restoration) and of equivalent courses in the European Union. |
| Groups (7+ people) | €7 per personOrganised groups of 7 to 20 participants. |
Reduced ticket of €6 for those presenting a same-day ticket to the Galleria dell’Accademia, for members of Unicoop Firenze and for holders of a FAI card. Free admission also for teachers, accredited journalists, licensed tour guides, ICOM members and holders of the Firenzecard. Booking for the permanent collection is made via the museum’s online form.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials
- Audio description: no information
Step-free access by ramp from Piazza della Santissima Annunziata 13. Lifts and a platform lift reach the ticket office and the Gallery of frescoes. Free wheelchairs are available at the ticket office (with a document deposited), along with a downloadable sensory map, a tactile route with ten original works to touch while wearing latex gloves, and downloadable guides in easy-to-read language and in augmentative communication.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 10 |
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- Family tours & workshops
La Bottega dei Ragazzi organises creative and educational workshops for schools, children, teenagers and families.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Santissima Annunziata
Urban buses from Santa Maria Novella, stops “Colonna Museo Archeologico” and “Santissima Annunziata”; tram T2 (Peretola–San Marco), stop “San Marco”.
By car
The museum is in the ZTL (zone B). Nearby car parks: San Lorenzo – Mercato Centrale (about 800 m), Sant’Ambrogio (1.1 km), Beccaria (1.3 km), Parterre (1.3 km).
About 15 minutes on foot from Santa Maria Novella station and about 20 minutes from Campo di Marte.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Museum shop
Caffè del Verone and the museum bookshop.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Good to know | The museum offers three visit routes: history, art and architecture. |
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