Martinitt
Encyclopedia
The name Martinitt refers to a historical boy orphanage
of Milan
, Italy
, that was established in the 16th Century, now part of Pio Albergo Trivulzio
, a public Milanese institution that provides aid to needy orphans, elders and other people experiencing social difficulties. The name comes from Saint Martin
, as the orphanage was originally based in the eponymous oratory. The orphan boys themselves were thus referred to as Martinitt, a plural of Martinett ("little Martin") in Lombard language. The Martinitt played an important role in the history of Milan, most notably in the Five Days of Milan
.
. In 1528, Duke Francesco II Sforza
of Milan decided to transfer to Emiliani the oratory of Saint Martin, located in the very centre of Milan (now Via Manzoni), to be used as Milan's orphanage. Federico Borromeo
later decided to give out another building, the "Spedale dei Mendicanti" ("beggars' hospital"), which was used for orphan girls. The orphan boys were called Martinitt, while the orphan girls were called Stelline.
In 1776, Empress Maria Theresa moved the orphanage to Gessate
, east of Milan. At the same time, it was decided that the orphans would be housed in the orphanage until the age of 18, and that they would be taught a job.
In 1796, when Napoleone Bonaparte conquered Milan, he transformed the orphanage in a military hospital. The Martinitt then moved again, first in some buildings in Brera
, then in an abandoned convent, and finally (1803) back to their original seat in Via Manzoni. In 1848, during the Five Days of Milan
(when the Milanese population rebelled against the Austrian rule), the Martinitt contributed to the success of the Milanese serving as couriers, bringing dispatches from barricade to barricade.
In 1932, a new seat for the Martinitt was established by Benito Mussolini
in Via Pitteri, near Lambrate
.
Today, the Martinitt (and the Stelline orphanage for girls) have been merged into a wider social care institution called Pio Albergo Trivulzio
. A museum dedicated to the history of the Martinitt and the Stelline has been established in 2009 in Corso Magenta 57, in the building next to the "Stelline Palace" (the original seat of the Stelline orphanage).
Orphanage
An orphanage is a residential institution devoted to the care of orphans – children whose parents are deceased or otherwise unable or unwilling to care for them...
of Milan
Milan
Milan is the second-largest city in Italy and the capital city of the region of Lombardy and of the province of Milan. The city proper has a population of about 1.3 million, while its urban area, roughly coinciding with its administrative province and the bordering Province of Monza and Brianza ,...
, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, that was established in the 16th Century, now part of Pio Albergo Trivulzio
Pio Albergo Trivulzio
The Pio Albergo Trivulzio, formally Azienda di servizi alla persona Istituti Milanesi Martinitt e Stelline e Pio Albergo Trivulzio, commonly referred to as Baggina, is an ancient retirement home and hospital in Milan...
, a public Milanese institution that provides aid to needy orphans, elders and other people experiencing social difficulties. The name comes from Saint Martin
Saint Martin
Saint Martin is an island in the northeast Caribbean, approximately east of Puerto Rico. The 87 km2 island is divided roughly 60/40 between France and the Kingdom of the Netherlands ; however, the Dutch side has the larger population. It is one of the smallest sea islands divided between...
, as the orphanage was originally based in the eponymous oratory. The orphan boys themselves were thus referred to as Martinitt, a plural of Martinett ("little Martin") in Lombard language. The Martinitt played an important role in the history of Milan, most notably in the Five Days of Milan
Five Days of Milan
The Five Days of Milan was a major event in the Revolutionary Year of 1848 and the start of the First Italian War of Independence. On March 18th, the city of Milan, rose, and in five days of street fighting drove Marshal Radetzky and his men from the city....
.
History
The Martinitt orphanage was founded by Gerolamo Emiliani, who had previously created an orphanage for the poor in VeniceVenice
Venice is a city in northern Italy which is renowned for the beauty of its setting, its architecture and its artworks. It is the capital of the Veneto region...
. In 1528, Duke Francesco II Sforza
Francesco II Sforza
Francesco II Sforza , also known as Francesco Maria Sforza, was the last Duke of Milan from 1521 until his death.He was the son of Ludovico Sforza and Beatrice d'Este...
of Milan decided to transfer to Emiliani the oratory of Saint Martin, located in the very centre of Milan (now Via Manzoni), to be used as Milan's orphanage. Federico Borromeo
Federico Borromeo
Federico Borromeo was an Italian ecclesiastic, cardinal and archbishop of Milan.-Biography:Federico Borromeo was born in Milan as the second son of Giulio Cesare Borromeo, Count of Arona, and Margherita Trivulzio...
later decided to give out another building, the "Spedale dei Mendicanti" ("beggars' hospital"), which was used for orphan girls. The orphan boys were called Martinitt, while the orphan girls were called Stelline.
In 1776, Empress Maria Theresa moved the orphanage to Gessate
Gessate
Gessate is a comune in the Province of Milan in the Italian region Lombardy, located about 25 km northeast of Milan. As of 31 December 2004, it had a population of 6,496 and an area of 7.8 km²....
, east of Milan. At the same time, it was decided that the orphans would be housed in the orphanage until the age of 18, and that they would be taught a job.
In 1796, when Napoleone Bonaparte conquered Milan, he transformed the orphanage in a military hospital. The Martinitt then moved again, first in some buildings in Brera
Brera (district of Milan)
Brera is a district of Milan, Italy. It is located within the Zone 1 and it is centered around Brera street...
, then in an abandoned convent, and finally (1803) back to their original seat in Via Manzoni. In 1848, during the Five Days of Milan
Five Days of Milan
The Five Days of Milan was a major event in the Revolutionary Year of 1848 and the start of the First Italian War of Independence. On March 18th, the city of Milan, rose, and in five days of street fighting drove Marshal Radetzky and his men from the city....
(when the Milanese population rebelled against the Austrian rule), the Martinitt contributed to the success of the Milanese serving as couriers, bringing dispatches from barricade to barricade.
In 1932, a new seat for the Martinitt was established by Benito Mussolini
Benito Mussolini
Benito Amilcare Andrea Mussolini was an Italian politician who led the National Fascist Party and is credited with being one of the key figures in the creation of Fascism....
in Via Pitteri, near Lambrate
Lambrate
Lambrate is a district of Milan, Italy, located within the Zone 3 administrative division, 6 km north-east of the city centre. It owes its name to the Lambro river that traverses the area. Lambrate houses one the major railway station of north-eastern Milan, the Stazione di Milano Lambrate...
.
Today, the Martinitt (and the Stelline orphanage for girls) have been merged into a wider social care institution called Pio Albergo Trivulzio
Pio Albergo Trivulzio
The Pio Albergo Trivulzio, formally Azienda di servizi alla persona Istituti Milanesi Martinitt e Stelline e Pio Albergo Trivulzio, commonly referred to as Baggina, is an ancient retirement home and hospital in Milan...
. A museum dedicated to the history of the Martinitt and the Stelline has been established in 2009 in Corso Magenta 57, in the building next to the "Stelline Palace" (the original seat of the Stelline orphanage).
Notable Martinitt orphans
- Angelo RizzoliAngelo RizzoliAngelo Rizzoli was an Italian publisher and film producer.- Early life :Orphaned at a young age and raised in poverty, Rizzoli rose to prosperity...
, founder of RCS MediaGroupRCS MediaGroupRCS MediaGroup S.p.A. , based in Milan and listed on the Italian Stock Exchange, is an international multimedia publishing group that operates in daily newspapers, magazines and books, radio broadcasting, new media and digital and satellite TV...
, one of Italy's prominent publishing houses - Leonardo Del VecchioLeonardo Del VecchioLeonardo Del Vecchio is the founder and chairman of Luxottica, a $3 billion designer and manufacturer of high-quality eyeglass frames. The firm owns the Sunglass Hut and Lenscrafters chains with a total of over 6000 stores...
, founder of LuxotticaLuxotticaLuxottica Group S.p.A. is the world's largest eyewear company. Its best known brands include Ray-Ban, Persol and Oakley, Inc.. It also makes sunglasses and prescription frames for a multitude of designer brands such as Chanel and Prada, whose designs and trademarks are used under license...
, the world's largest eyewear company - Edoardo Bianchi, founder of Bianchi BicyclesBianchi BicyclesF.I.V. Edoardo Bianchi S.p.A is the world's oldest bicycle-making company still in existence, having pioneered the use of equal-sized wheels with pneumatic rubber tires in 1885. It was founded in Italy in 1885. It produced cars and commercial vehicles from 1900 to 1939; and motorcycles from 1897 to...
, a pioneering bicycle-making factory