Palazzo del Commendatore Ospedale di Santo Spirito in Sassia

the entrance of spezieria

on left of main entrance of courtyard there door of ancient spezieria (spicery) of hospital, lately restored , still containing wonderful , rich collection of fine pictures.

on right of main entrance accademia lancisiana , grand staircase, giving access first floor of palazzo , upper loggia, shows plaster impression of low-relief antonio canova depicting lesson of anatomy. walls of upper loggia entirely decorated frescoes commissioned cardinal teseo aldrovandi painter ercole pelillo salerno; show landscapes, panoplies , grotesques.

the loggia gives access, through double doorway, apartment of commendatore, consisting of many rooms decorated magnificent tapestries, ancient furniture , sculptures, among virgin child andrea del verrocchio. eminent room gala hall, called salone del commendatore; room interely frescoed brothers jacopo , francesco zucchi, portrayed history of hospital, dream of pope innocent iii, pope sixtus iv visiting building sites, whole, diversified endeavour carried out institution (see paragraph corsia sistina). each scene simulates tapestry bordered draperies, on coats of arms of santo spirito, typical cross of lorraine , , of aldrovandi family alternately represented. finally, corners of room decorated pictures of festoons , fruits.