Doll Hospital

The Doll Hospital, or Ospedale delle Bambole, is a working doll-restoration shop and small museum on Via San Biagio dei Librai in Naples’ historic centre. Founded in 1895, it has passed through four generations of the same family. Inside, you can see a collection of toys and doll parts, hear about the shop’s history, and watch restoration work. A short film brings its dolls to life, making this a distinctive stop for children and adults interested in toys, craft or unusual local history.

A family workshop dating to 1895

The Doll Hospital began in Naples in 1895, founded by Luigi Grassi. The restoration business has continued through four generations, surviving the upheavals of the two World Wars. Today it combines a working repair shop with a small museum, so the collection and the craft are part of the same visit.

Dolls and their parts are arranged around the space, giving the workshop its distinctive appearance. The collection also includes historic toys, with pieces from different parts of the world.

What happens during a visit

A visit introduces the shop’s history before showing how doll restoration works. A member of the family explains the business, and visitors may see repairs taking place in the workshop. A short film, in which dolls appear to speak, adds a playful element to the tour.

Tours are offered in Italian and English. The visit is brief, so it can fit between other stops in Naples’ historic centre. The shop also accepts dolls and other toys for possible restoration; ask the staff about the item you have brought.