Loggia del Bigallo — Attraction in Florence

This building is one of a dozen public loggias in the city, and is linked with two fraternities or companies dealing with local charity.

The Compagnia della Misericordia, or "Company of Mercy", was concerned with the transport of the sick, burial of the indigent dead, as well as the care of orphans. The open loggia served to shelter lost children and unwanted infants who were abandoned to the care of the brotherhood,

The Compagnia di Santa Maria del Bigallo or simply del Bigallo, was founded in 1244 by Saint Peter of Verona, Saint Peter Martyr, and was formerly housed near Orsanmichele. This group focused on the housing of the indigent, and also cared for pilgrims and travellers at their Ospedale di Santa Maria alle Fonti, nicknamed "del Bigallo", at Fonteviva.

Financial irregularities forced the authorities in 1425, under Cosimo I de'Medici, treasurer of the Bigallo, to merge the two groups, and reorganize the structure. As time passed, the function of the Bigallo began to dominate that of the...

Built between 1352 and 1358 in Gothic style by Alberto Arnoldi, the loggia originally served as the headquarters of the charitable Compagnia della Misericordia. The space was used to shelter lost children and abandoned infants. In 1425, it merged with the Compagnia di Santa Maria del Bigallo, expanding its charitable functions. Today, the site operates as the Museo del Bigallo, displaying artworks and artifacts related to Florence’s charitable history from the 13th to the...

One of quite a few loggias you might see around Florence as well as an interesting thing to see at Piazza del Duomo while sightseeing around the historic centre of Florence.

The loggia dates back to the Middle Ages and has interesting Gothic characteristics and ornamentation. Within there is a small museum with artefacts related to the Confraternia della Misericordia and Compangnia...