What was the Ospedale della Pieta in Venice and what kind of education were the children offered?

Answer 1

The word "ospedale" (plural, "ospedali") literally means "hospital" in Italian and the Ospedale della Pieta (often called 'La Pieta', meaning The Mercy Hospital) was a convent, orphanage and school in Venice where it still stands today. La Pieta was built in the 13th Century and is known for being used as a school for young children who were unwanted, orphaned or disabled. Many came from poverty stricken families, were destitute, had severe disabilities or were severely disfigured by illnesses such as smallpox and syphilis contracted by their mothers.

Both boys and girls were taught at the school. The boys were taught trades, whilst the girls received a creative education - such as visual arts, pharmacy, drama, religion and music. However, the most popular subject among the girls was music. When the boys reached their teenage years they would leave to work as an apprentice. The girls stayed in the orphanage for most of their lives. Thanks to Father Antonio Vivaldi, a composer and priest, the Ospedale in the early 18th Century became one of the finest schools in Venice and in Europe - especially for the girls who wanted to pursue a successful career in music. If it were not for Vivaldi, the story of the Ospedale would not survive and the children would not become the high-flyers as they are remembered today.