Ospedale delle Donne, Hospital complex in Monti, Rome, Italy

The Ospedale delle Donne is a palazzo in Rome that underwent complete reconstruction in the mid-1600s and now operates as part of a medical complex. Its facade features rusticated elements and is organized into two stacked stories separated by pilasters.

The hospital was already enlarged and restored in the first half of the 13th century by Cardinal Giovanni Colonna, titular of Santa Prassede. In 1655 Giovanni Antonio De Rossi rebuilt it completely, instructed for economic reasons to reuse the old structures as far as possible. A 1721 decree of the Congregation of the Sacred Apostolic Visitation reserved it for women, while men were assigned to Santo Spirito.

The building displays the classical Roman architectural language of the 1600s with rusticated masonry and symmetrically arranged windows. You can observe how the wide facade commands the public space and reflects the functional design of a medical complex.

The building sits near Piazza San Giovanni in Laterano and is clearly visible from the public square. Visitors can explore the exterior facade and access to the complex from the street, with the area being easily walkable.

On the site where this building stands today, there once sat the Villa d'Aste, whose remains were incorporated into the palazzo's structure. Nearby also ran remnants of Nero's ancient aqueduct, which once supplied water to the city.