By Jessica Rowe
Via Sant’Egidio is a small street in Florence with a long history. On this street, you’ll find the Hospital of Santa Maria Nuova and, inside, the church that gave the street its name.
Via Sant’Egidio is a small, quaint street nestled between Via Bufalini and Piazza Gaetano Salvemini. Along this street you will find a mixture of shops and apartment buildings, often with bars on the windows or green shutters.
What you might not know when walking down this street is that it’s named after the Sant’Egidio church which currently resides inside the Hospital of Santa Maria Nuova. The church was rebuilt from its ancient foundation and consecrated by Pope Martin V in 1419. During the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries, the church was restored and changes were made to it.
Sant’Egidio is the Italian name for St. Giles, a Christian saint and the patron saint of many things, including beggars, epilepsy, forests, and fertility.
This street is almost perfectly centered in the nexus of FUA’s buildings. You may even walk down it without realizing it as you go from Ganzo to Squola. But even if you miss most of the street, you cannot miss the hospital. The building takes up much of the street and the exterior is laced with beautiful details. There is a plaque by one of the doors that tells you about the church and its history.
You can visit the church for free from 8-12 a.m. or from 4-6 p.m. While the original art from the church has been lost, the art currently inside is well worth a look.
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