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© Formal Academy
© Wikipedia
Ca' Granda Old Hospital, Milan - Centre
Former Renaissance hospital, now Milan's university building
The building of the Ospedale Maggiore, commonly known as Ca' Granda, was ordered by Francesco Sforza in the 15th to bring Milan's thirty hospitals into one place. The vast construction was designed by Tuscan architect Filarete, known for his work on the Castello Sforzesco and the cathedral.
Francesco Sforza, Duke of Milan, founded this hospital for the poor to gain supporters among the people, who were followers of the Visconti family. Works on the design by Filarete started in 1456, and continued with engineer Guiniforte Solari after his death in 1469, who laboured with his son in law Giovanni Antonio Amadeo.
The building is a rectangle made up of a series of equal square inner courtyards (cortile), with the church in the centre, and with one wing dedicated to men and the other to women. Filarete designed it as part of his project to turn Milan into an ideal Renaissance city.
The lower part of the facade was designed by Filarete, while the upper part was done by Solari and the double porch by Amadeo, transformed in the 17th century. The left wing was not finished until the 18th century, thus mixing Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque styles.
In 1939, the hospital was relocated and is now home to arts, history and law faculties of the University.
Worth knowing
In order to cover the cost of the hospital's maintenance, the management hired artists who painted portraits of benefactors. The paintings were exhibited so everyone could see who contributed.
Visitor comments
- "This is the first and oldest hospital in Milan. The architecture of the buildings and surrounding walls are very unique with many statues and carvings on the exterior. If you are interested, do read up about the history regarding the architecture prior to the visit." - Trip Advisor
