Museums: The Bigallo

In the very heart of Florence is a small but historically important building, known as the Bigallo.

The Bigallo (depicted below) is on the same square as Florence's cathedral and baptistery.  The building dates from the mid-1300's.  It was once the home of two religious brotherhoods. 

   

The two brotherhoods performed important charitable works in and near Florence.  One brotherhood was the Misericordia and transported the sick to hospitals and removed the deceased from the streets.  The Misericodia stills functions today, operating an ambulance service in Florence. 

The other brotherhood, known as the Bigallo, assisted pilgrims traveling through Florence and helped lost and abandoned children. 

The Dominican priest St. Peter Martyr in 1244 founded the society that spawned the two brotherhoods.   

The architectural style of the building is Gothic and it is decorated with religious art.

The Altar Room:

The Museum:

The three paintings above feature the Madonna with the Bambino.  Plus, a bird.  The bird is a religious symbol with varied meanings.  The bird, usually considered to be a European Goldfinch, can generally symbolize the soul, the crucifixion, the resurrection or the Holy Spirit.  Sometimes, a bird is more than a bird.  Who knew?

The Loggia:  The exterior of the Bigallo features a loggia, or porch.  The loggia had several functions, including a place where the brotherhood could allow Florentine woman to adopt and care for lost and abandoned children.  The painting below illustrates the practice. 

Below, on the loggia of the Bigallo, an abandoned child awaits adoption.

Below, a mother has a new baby to care for.

Thanks for visiting the Bigallo with us.