Ep. 78: History of Volterra Lunatic Asylum, Part 3 (1948-1978) Artwork

Behind the Walls of the World’s Psychiatric Hospitals

This podcast examines the history of now-defunct or abandoned psychiatric hospitals. Listen every week to learn about the history of mental health care and the true stories of the people who lived and worked behind the walls.

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Behind the Walls of the World’s Psychiatric Hospitals

Ep. 78: History of Volterra Lunatic Asylum, Part 3 (1948-1978)

December 15, 2024 • Dr. Sarah Gallup • Episode 78

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This week's episode looks at the final decades of Volterra Lunatic Asylum through the lens of three different physicians who each left a lasting impact on the hospital: Dr. Claus Schilling, Dr. Franco Basaglia, and Dr. Gino Basci. Find out which doctor was later tried for war crimes and which one would go on to create the most radical psychiatric law in the world. Finally, hear the story of one patient who quite literally left a lasting mark on the hospital.

My main sources for this episode include the Manicomio di Volterra website and an article by John Foot called "Franco Basaglia and the Radical Psychiatric Movement in Italy, 1961-1978." All other sources will be listed at the end of the episode transcript.

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