Chiesa di Sant'Egidio

In every hospital there is a chapel for prayer, but at the Ospedale di Santa Maria Nuova there is a proper church dedicated to St Egidio. The hospital incorporated it in 1305, although its current aspect is due to the stylistic revision ordered at the end of the 16th century by Bernardo Buontalenti, to whom we owe the overall design.

The renovation led to the destruction of frescoes and the relocation of important paintings.

A monumental staircase leads to the Matroneum, which was used by the Oblate nuns to attend services. Today, the matroneum is also part of the museum itinerary of Santa Maria Nuova.