The Museo degli Innocenti, located in the historic building that has housed the Istituto degli Innocenti since the 15th century, is a museum of the history of childhood in Florence. It traces the fascinating history of the charitable institution that was founded in 1419 with the building of the “hospital”, essentially Europe’s first orphanage, commissioned to the Silk Guild thanks to the bequest by Francesco Datini, a Prato merchant, “per principiare un luogo nuovo il quale i fanciulli notrichi e notrire faccia” (to start to build a new place that provided care of infants and children). The design was entrusted to Filippo Brunelleschi, whose mark is seen in the series of graceful arches over the external portico that gives onto piazza Santissima Annunziata. The Institute has been active for six centuries and still has functions related to the protection of children. 

A new exhibition path was opened in 2016 with the aim of providing an organic description of an institution that is unique in the world. Through three paths among works of art, exhibits and multimedia experiences, it presents the art, history and architecture of the Hospital. The display includes touching testimonies of the building’s tiny wards over the years, including the collection of objects left on abandoned babies in the 19th century.