The Istituto degli Innocenti [Institute of the Innocents] in Florence has been in continuous operation, helping children and families, for over six centuries. Founded at the beginning of the 15th century, it was the first secular institution dedicated to taking in orphaned children. The institute is located in Piazza della Santissima Annunziata, in the old hospital designed by Filippo Brunelleschi and enriched over time with works of art by many other famous artists.
Today this precious historical and monumental complex is the home of the new Museo degli Innocenti.
The history of the Istituto degli Innocenti, is explained on the basement level of the museum with biographies and personal memories of the children that have been hosted in the building.
On the ground floor is a display tracing the architectural evolution of the old hospital; the second floor houses the most important works of art by artists such as Sandro Botticelli, Domenico Ghirlandaio, Bartolomeo di Giovanni, Piero di Cosimo, Neri di Bicci, Luca e Andrea della Robbia and Giovanni del Biondo.
The Museo also has a rooftop terrace with a literary coffee bar Caffè del Verone. This coffee bar is open even to people who are not visiting the museum itself. Its architecture is fascinating in its own right and characterized by a flexible and transparent structure made of glass and wood, so that the space can be modified or closed altogether when the weather requires it.
