Walking in front of  Santa Maria del Fiore cathedral, you will see – right in the corner in front of you, between piazza San Giovanni and Via dei Calzaiuoli – a particular building with two wide arches; it’s called « Loggia del Bigallo », and was part of a construction that housed the « Compagnia della Misericordia » (the Company of Mercy).

Built around 1352, the Loggia was used as a shelter for lost children and unwanted infants who were abandoned to0 the care of the Company of Mercy.  In 1425 the « Compagnia of Santa Maria del Bigallo », normally housed at Orsanmichele, transfered here as well. They used to take care of pilgrims and travellers at their Ospedale di Santa Maria del Bigallo, located in Fonteviva.

The two arches are richely decorated with bas-reliefs of prophets, Angel, the Virtues, a Christ giving benediction and an Ecce Homo. Nowadays, the Loggia hosts a museums of objects related to the Compagnia del Bigallo.

(source: Wikipedia)

Every building in Florence hides a story – discovering it with the Institute Galilei’s art history course is really easy and interesting!