Sant'Orsola Complex

The Sant’Orsola complex in the San Lorenzo neighbourhood is undergoing restoration and conversion under an agreement governing use of the former convent’s spaces in Florence’s historic centre for the next 50 years. As the complex occupies an entire city block, the project provides for three public courtyards—the Clock Courtyard, the Apothecary Courtyard and the Tobacco Courtyard—and public access from four street approaches, listed as Via Guelfa, Via di Sant’Orsola, Via Taddea and Via Guelfa. From the street, visitors enter a ground floor conceived as an extension of the neighbourhood and the city’s activities. The upper floors are intended for education and professional development. Planned public uses include a museum of the complex’s history, a vocational training centre with meeting rooms open to the city, spaces for start-ups, guest accommodation, a play centre and a library. Part of the large complex will be devoted to artist residencies and craft professions, with suitable exhibition spaces. While awaiting the final opening, temporary exhibitions connected with artist residencies are held here. A brief history of the former convent: 1309: foundation of the Benedictine convent and church of Sant’Orsola. 1327–1627: several extensions to the convent. 1773: Leopold of Lorraine suppresses religious confraternities. 1808: suppression by Napoleonic decree and transfer to state ownership end its religious function. 1816–1818: conversion into a tobacco factory, subsequently moved in 1940 to the new factory in the Cascine area. 1945–1968: the premises first shelter Istrian exiles and evicted people, and are later abandoned. 1975: the state grants use of the complex to the university for a project to create student housing and services. 1985: plans and works to convert the complex into premises for the Guardia di Finanza. 2009: ownership passes from the state to the Province, subsequently the Metropolitan City of Florence.