The Genoese welfare system at the threshold of the modern age. The Ufficio di Misericordia (15th Century)

Abstract

The essay outlines the birth and devolopment of the Ufficio arisen in 1419, in spite of previous sporadic episodes and different historiographical interpretations. The Ufficio was designed by the civil and religious power and was composed by the archibishop and four lay members elected by the civil authorities with aim of seeking, defending and distributing pious legacies of citizens. In such a way the Ufficio takes shape as a magistrature of the Commune with full administrative and judicial jurisdiction in the field of charity, so that in 1482 the archibishop urge the Pope for the aknowledgement of all the proceedings issued in favor of the institution. The Ufficio witnesses that civic religion characterising Italy of XV Century. Thanks to the broader responsibilities assigned to it – redemption of captives, appointment of the Genoese consul in Alexandria of Egypt, protection of abandoned children, administration of hospitals –, the Ufficio becomes also an actual economic power by virtue of management of pious legacies concentrated in the Bank of St. George so as to be defined an office of exchange. The Ufficio carries on an active solidarity, by supporting the establishment of local pawnshop too, transforms the scriptural money into cash and moves to the virtuous cycle of money every kind of pious legacy, of licit or illicit origin, making it available to the community in spite of many difficulties.  Indeed it works both against the interests of potential heirs and the public treasury that attempts to take possession of pious legacies.