This is an unusual and even unique establishment.
They bring or send special “patients” here – these are dolls, broken toys and even statues of saints.
The feeble figures lie patiently on the shelves and wait for their turn “to the doctors”, and then, already as good as new, they go home, to the joy of their little owners.
The Doll Hospital (Ospedale delle Bambole) was founded by theatrical designer Luigi Grasso. At first, it was a workshop where the artist restored antique porcelain dolls. Gradually, the circle of “patients” expanded, and now dolls made of a variety of materials are brought back to life here – rag, celluloid, plush, wood, paper.
Glue, paints, disinfectants are used as medicines. Experienced surgeons work here to restore the health of doll girls, ladies, as well as bunnies and bears. True, the sight of separate parts of bodies, even toy ones, is not quite a pleasant sight. But the puppet hospital is very popular with children and they don’t mind watching their favourite toys recover.
The great-granddaughter of the first owner is in charge of the work in this original laboratory-workshop. Over the decades, it has amassed a huge collection of dolls from all over the world, which is interesting not only for young visitors but also for adults.
The Dolls’ Hospital is located in one of Naples’ exotic neighbourhoods, the Spaccanapoli district, where there is a network of bookshops, artisan shops with souvenirs to suit all tastes and small family-run restaurants. Music pours out of the windows of the houses and the narrow streets are filled with the multilingual speech of tourists.
All days except 24-25 December, 1 January, 1 May
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