Where is the hospital on the map?
'Ospedale' — os-pe-DA-le. Four syllables; stress on the third. The 'o' is rounded and open.
Ask in an emergency or when looking for medical care. The hospital symbol on Italian maps is a white 'H' on a blue background — same as most European countries.
'Ospedale' means hospital. It comes from Latin 'hospitalis' (relating to a guest). The symbol 'H' (standing for Hôpital/Hospital) is used internationally. In emergencies, the Italian emergency number is 118 for medical assistance — equivalent to 999 in the UK or 911 in the USA.
Dov'è il pronto soccorso?
Where is the emergency room?
'Pronto soccorso' is the emergency department — the first place to go urgently.
C'è una farmacia di turno vicino?
Is there a duty pharmacy nearby?
Pharmacies on duty (turno) operate outside normal hours.
Il numero di emergenza qual è?
What is the emergency number?
118 for medical, 112 for police, 115 for fire.
Italy has a public health system (Servizio Sanitario Nazionale) that provides free emergency care to anyone, including tourists from non-EU countries, in genuine emergencies. EU citizens with a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) receive full care at reduced or no cost in all Italian public hospitals.