Ospedale del Ceppo, History museum in Pistoia, Italy.
The Ospedale del Ceppo is a history museum occupying the historical section of a former hospital complex and displaying medical instruments and architectural elements from different periods. The exhibition features sections dedicated to medical history, surgical instruments, and the Filippo Pacini Medical Academy.
The institution was founded in 1277 and served as a hospital for over seven centuries before being transformed into a museum in 2017. This conversion documents the evolution of medical practice in the region across centuries.
The outer loggia displays a frieze in polychrome glazed terracotta by Santi Buglioni showing the Seven Works of Mercy rendered in detailed reliefs. These sculptures reflect the values of compassion and aid that guided the institution's mission.
The museum spans multiple sections with different focuses that you can explore following a set route. Guided tours in several languages provide deeper insights into the displayed objects and the building's history.
A well-preserved anatomical theater from the 18th century remains standing in the garden, showing how medical students were taught back then. The space offers insight into the teaching methods of a bygone medical era.
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