This Museum is a Misericordia's present to Florence and a tribute to those who, for more than 770 years, have supported the
Misericordia with sacrifices, abnegation and donations. The Misericordia of Florence, founded in the year 1244, is the oldest voluntary service institution in the world. The Museum exhibits the most important objects used for centuries by the brothers of the Misericordia, including, the “zana”, the “cataletto” - used to carry the sick to the hospitals and to the lazarets – the tunics, the old oxygen tanks and the first splint. Benedetto da Maiano, Giambologna, Della Robbia, Giovan Battista Naldini, Santi di Tito, Francesco Albani, Carlo Dolci, Elisabeth Chaplin, Pietro Annigoni, Caravaggio's pupils Valentin de Boulogne and Dirk Van Baburen, are only a few of the artists whose works are exhibited in the Museum.
The Museum exhibits, in 14 halls, objects, documents, printed materials, sculptures of great historical and artistic value, to tell the 8 Centuries of history and boundless Charity of the Misericordia of Florence. The visits are guided by the volunteers brothers of the Misericordia The Museum has been designed to demonstrate the great connection existing for centuries between the Florentine comunity and the Misericordia. The Museum offers from its windows a stunning wiew of the Cathedral, the Dome, the Bell Tower and the Baptistery