Intro. The MOSAI – Historical Exhibition of Nursing Care is a unique exhibition in Bologna that tells the story of the nursing profession’s evolution from World War II to the 1980s. Through reconstructed settings, original tools, and historical photographs, it traces the human value of care, with a special focus on the work of the Red Cross Nurses from 1908 to today.
A historical journey through nursing care
Among the unusual things to see in Bologna, MOSAI deserves a visit for those who love social history and places that tell the city from a different perspective. The exhibition preserves materials and photographic testimonials that document the evolution of nursing care and the profession from World War II up to the 1980s.
The exhibit highlights how instruments, procedures, and contexts change, but above all, how the heart of this work remains constant: care, attention, presence.
Reconstructed settings and themed sections
One of the most interesting aspects of MOSAI is the presence of reconstructed care settings, designed to help understand (even for those without healthcare knowledge) how certain wards looked and which instruments were used.
- Orthopedic section, with 19th-century furnishings
- Psychiatric section, featuring an electroshock machine
- Obstetric-gynecological section
- Pediatric section
- Generalist section
Red Cross Nurses: images and memory from 1908 to today
Also powerful is the photographic documentation dedicated to the work of the Red Cross Nurses, offering a visual narrative that spans from 1908 to today. This section immediately conveys the historical (and human) dimension of care in the most complex contexts, from emergencies to periods of social transformation.
Useful information for your visit
MOSAI – Historical Exhibition of Nursing Care
- Opening: by appointment, write to info@opibo.it
- Ticket: free entry
- Activities: guided tours
- Accessibility: accessible to disabled visitors
