The first hospital in Florence was named after St. John the Evangelist and was built between the Baptistery and the cathedral of Santa Reparata in 1040. To us it seems incredible that a building could be built in such a small space, yet the news is certain and documented: the hospital was right there, and it was a real stumbling block, so much so that everyone in the city, including Dante, called for a long time for its demolition, but it suited only in 1298.
To find an explanation for such an illogical fact, first of all we can look at the plans of ancient Florence to get an idea about the position and size of the building. Considering to leave a minimum space in front of the cathedral, we see that the hospital area could be about 15 x 90 ft, that is 5-6 rooms posed side by side; therefore it had to be an atypical hospital, because at that time hospitals were usually built around a cloister, but it was here impossible given the limited space. This renounce to the typical form to get fitted to the place lets us understand that they really wanted to occupy that precise area, otherwise they could look for a more suitable space beyond the nearby walls, where there would have no such problems.
About the building, we must consider that a hospital at that time was very different from today: it was only a shelter for poor and sick people, without any purpose of treatment.
An extremely simple building is suggested also by the news that in its last years it became a warehouse. Then, since in the modern excavations no foundations of it were found, we can guess that they had to be minimal and superficial, and support little weights, in proportion with an only ground floor building, wooden roofed, made without care and probably in a hurry.
Above all, however, the location so close to the Baptistery – about 6 ft away – clearly means the will to create a barrier in front of its east door, at the present called Porta del Paradiso. Here is the key to solve our problem: what the canons were seeking was a separation from their neighbors. And actually at the time there was a heavy dispute between the simoniac bishop, who had the possession of San Giovanni (probably also claimed by the Florentine Comune), and the canons of the cathedral who instead had the possession of the Santa Reparata and were supporters of the reform of the church.
It is clear that the Porta del Paradiso had a strategic role for the bishop because of its facing the cathedral, to which he would connect in order to regain its control. But that door became then unusable, and remained so for a long time: having been closed the original west entrance to create the apse, the south door was usually used for worship and ceremonies, while the north door was not suitable for processions and rituals because too close to the city walls.
In conclusion, the construction of the hospital was the result of this situation: the bishop wanted to create a relationship between San Giovanni and Santa Reparata, but the canons, who owned the latter, were opposed, and managed the hospital as a placeholder of their property rights making a spite to the bishop. It was also significant that they had named their hospital after St. John the Evangelist, as an alternative to the other St. John next door.
After a few years, in 1059, the intervention of Pope Nicholas II would have brought some order in this very complicated situation; but the opposition to the removal of the hospital was still stubborn and lasted two and a half centuries, demonstrating the canons’ will not to give up their rights. This resistance can be explained by the fact that they were representatives of a minor clergy that was present in Florence for centuries, and that did not want to renounce the rights they had acquired by providing for the care of the people during the long periods in which the bishop was absent; but this is a matter for those who study the history of the Florentine church.
In the paving of the square today are visible in front of the cathedral the position marks of the Santa Reparata porch columns, whose foundations were found in some excavations of the last century.
Plan of the Piazza del Duomo area showing the positions of the Baptistery of San Giovanni, the current cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore and, in grey, the ancient cathedral of Santa Reparata. In the plan are also indicated some archaeological findings excavated under and around the Baptistery. The outline of Santa Reparata includes the portico on its facade, whose columns position is also marked. In blue is the probable position of the hospital of San Giovanni Evangelista, and in yellow the alignment of the walls of the Roman city; the left transept of Santa Reparata seems to partially overlap them, but it is a medieval extension.
(Plan from C. Pietramellara)