“Spedali Riuniti” (United Hospitals) is a denomination that was given in 1898 to the “Complesso ospedaliero di Sant'Antonio”, as the adminstrative reunion of a plethora of small hospitals in and around the former prison called “Bagno dei Forzati”.
[Bing Maps image]
The old structure was not the place for a modern hospital so in the late 1920s a new one was built on the city outskirts on a project by the architect Ghino Venturi. Built in the years of the Fascist Era, the building was inaugurated by the King himself in 1931.
It was dedicated to the local Fascist leader Costanzo Ciano, whose coat of arms still hang on the side of the main entrance.
The administrative building facing “Viale Alfieri”. It seems the time has come for this hospital either, a new one will be built near “Montenero”, pending the results of an upcoming abrogative referendum.
18 comments:
My very small town is now considering building a new hospital. Nothing as grand as these photographs, but always welcome.
VP the first image is great, love the architecture there. The second one looks massive.
I love the look of the building in the last photo. Feel free to use the bench photo. Let me know when it's posted.
Judging from the size of the windows, it looks like that building in the last photo has exceptionally high ceilings in the rooms. That always makes a hospital room look brighter, and they don't build 'em like that anymore. Too bad this building is on the possible demolition list... or did I misunderstand, VP?
It looks like a big hospital. Is it just outdated and so a new one? I don't plan on being sick so .........MB
The overhead view of the complex is sort of overwhelming.
Le bagne des forçats dans le complexe hospitalier de Saint Antoine, wow, that's a lot to take in.
I'm trying to imagine the reaction of the world if a German hospital still had a local nazi's coat of arms tucked away somewhere. Even if it was a Ciano.
I love the second image - looks huge!
Have a nice day:)
@ Francisca - They won't demolish anything. Some say that a better project would be to build a new structure inside the old hospital, which has plenty of space and is perfectly located.
@ ciel - Maybe it is because Ciano got his coat of arms for the Bakar mockery during WW I. Or they simply don't know that this is his coat of arms...
A classic facade, which looks great. Even greater is the aerial view! I didn't know Ciano was from the area. Very informative reportage. Thanks, VP.
A new structure inside the old... you mean a complete internal renovation, conserving the exterior. Cool.
My curiosity was also piqued by Ciel's comment about the coat of arms. I read your link and the wiki on Ciano. Interesting history.
I hope the old building can find a new use.
This time, if you haven't translated de word 'spedali', I would have not guessed what it is! :-) Great post.
Interesting, could be an explanation either way.
It doesn't change the fact that if this were Germany, the whole world would make a huge fuss.
Sorry to be rambling on.
@ ciel - I think you are right.
Anyway a drastic purge of symbols of the Fascist Period took obviously place even here, but this coat of arms probably survived because it is almost unknown.
I discovered it by chance photographing the details of the hospital. It was the Dannuntian motto below (Memento audere semper) that made me suspicious.
I asked one of the Stefanos who, after some research, confirmed my doubts.
How quickly we outgrow our hospitals. Even if these were built by facists, the architecture is nice. I wouldn't expect so much from the next round.
Well... they could keep it to make it an educational warning...
So beautiful entrance in this hospital there!
Léia
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