Ruota Degli Esposti: A Window into Naples' Past

The Ruota Degli Esposti, found at the Real Casa Santa dell'Annunziata in Naples, stands as a powerful reminder of the city's past. Dating back to the 14th century, this 'wheel' was a system that allowed mothers to anonymously leave their unwanted newborns to be cared for by the attached religious order. Often driven by poverty or social stigma, mothers could place their child in the wheel, rotate it, and a bell would alert the nuns inside. This ensured anonymity for the parent and offered a chance at life for the child. The children left at the Ruota Degli Esposti were often called 'children of the Madonna' and were raised within the Casa Santa dell'Annunziata. The institution provided food, shelter, and vocational training, with wet nurses initially caring for the infants. Registers were meticulously kept, documenting details about each child, including any identifying items left with them, in the hopes that a parent might one day return. While the practice of anonymously abandoning infants may seem shocking today, the Ruota Degli Esposti served as a vital lifeline in a time of immense social hardship. It represents both the desperation of families and the compassion of those who sought to provide a better future for these abandoned children. The Ruota degli Esposti in Naples was last used in 1875. Today, it stands as a historical exhibit, inviting reflection on the complex social issues of the past.