Spedale di Sant'Antonio

The Spedale was born in a place of transit such as Lastra a Signa, serving as hospitality for pilgrims and wayfarers, walking along the Via Pisana. It was built between 1416 and 1421 by the Consoli dell'Arte della Seta, according to Francesco di Leccio da San Miniato's will. The assistance provided by these institutes, led by an organisation, a religious company or a town guild, like the Arte della Seta silk guild in this case, was mainly directed to the poor. Because of its architectural features it sets a precedent, on par with the Spedale di San Matteo that once stood on piazza San Marco in Florence, for Brunelleschi's Spedale degli Innocenti.

Text from FeelFlorence (en), the official tourism portal of the Comune di Firenze and the Citta Metropolitana di Firenze; shortened