Hospital of Santa Maria Nuova

Visiting the Hospital of Santa Maria Nuova was very different from my visit to the Hospital Degli Innocenti because Santa Maria Nuova is still active today. I actually walk by the hospital quite often between classes but it was interesting to actually pay close attention to it. From the outside it looks very similar to any other building in Florence. However, the inside is very modern because a running hospital needs up to date technology. The most interesting part of this visit was the Cloister of Bones. This is a sort of temple that also has a dedication and is a burial space. I found it interesting that there was a sort of religious symbol if you will in the hospital. That is something that you usually wouldn't find in the United States so it was interesting to compare the different countries. It is also the oldest hospital that is still active in Florence which would not be known by the modern technology inside. Going to a working hospital was interesting because it is not something most people do on a daily basis. Hospitals can be both happy and sad places so there were a lot of different emotions all around me.