Ospedale Santa Chiara, Medical institution near Square of Miracles, Pisa, Italy
Ospedale Santa Chiara is a hospital in Pisa with a square layout and defensive towers at each corner, housing university clinics, medical wards, and administrative offices. The different buildings form a single interconnected complex that spans a large area.
The hospital was founded in 1257 when Pope Alexander IV ordered Pisa to establish a medical facility as part of a reconciliation with the Church. This event marked the beginning of its role as a major care institution in the city.
The interior courtyard displays coats of arms from administrators who ran the hospital between 1545 and 1771, marking their presence over time. These visual marks tell the story of the people who oversaw the building across generations.
The complex sits near the Square of Miracles and is easy to find while exploring the city. Keep in mind that parts of the complex remain active medical areas and may not be fully open to the public.
The building preserves parts of the medieval city walls, including the visible Porta Buoza gate integrated into its current structure. These ancient components serve as a reminder that the complex was built along the fortifications of an earlier city.
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