Spedali Riuniti ( United Hospitals), Livorno

The United Hospitals (Spedali Riuniti) in Livorno stands as the city's main hospital facility, occupying a significant area between Viale Alfieri and the city center. The name "Spedali Riuniti" dates back to the construction of the current building, referring to the union of two previous hospitals, Sant'Antonio and Misericordia. This name was formally restored in 1898 when the hospital complex was still located in the vast Sant'Antonio facility.

Construction of the current hospital began in 1929, driven by the vision of Giuseppe Costa, president of the hospital administration. The design was executed by Ghino Venturi, a prominent architect in Livorno during that era, known for his projects in the city’s working-class neighborhoods. The hospital was inaugurated in November 1931, with King Vittorio Emanuele III and Queen Elena of Montenegro in attendance.

From the start, the hospital was a center for advanced medical care and research, and it continued to expand after World War II with the addition of new departments. Modernization efforts in recent years have introduced important updates, such as a new emergency center and improved pathways connecting the various pavilions.

Architecturally, the hospital follows a symmetrical layout, with pavilions connected by covered corridors. The design, while traditional, incorporates classical and baroque elements. The administration building resembles Renaissance palaces, with curving wings reminiscent of Saint Peter’s Square in Rome. The emergency room entrance, designed in a neoclassical style, stands at a prominent corner of the complex, shaped like a circular temple.

The hospital’s chapel features a classical tympanum and tall, narrow windows, echoing the design Venturi later used in other projects. The interior of the chapel consists of three naves, with a gallery for women on the upper level. A striking feature of the complex is the towering structure at the back, which, though resembling a bell tower, is a water tank topped with a clock and a wrought iron crown reminiscent of baroque Roman architecture.