Traditional Florentine Brotherhoods of Charity

Charitable institutions to aid the poor and sick have always existed in Florence.
The Brotherhood of Mercy was founded in 1245 and is still active today. We'll visit the Brotherhood's chapel rich in precious objects and sacred paintings.

We'll continue to the church of S Martino Buonomini, founded by Saint Antonino in the fifteenth century to aid the "shameless poor", or those forgotten by society.
The Ghirlandaio frescoes illustrate the deeds of the Brotherhood.

We'll end the tour at the Hospital of the Innocents, a fifteenth century orphanage designed by Brunelleschi.