OPAI was founded in 1914 in Milan to care for and educate children, especially those suffering from tuberculosis. In 1918, OPAI began using Villa Gonzaga in Olgiate Olona as a children's home thanks to a donation. Over the years, Villa Gonzaga provided medical care, education based on Montessori methods, and vocational training to help children find jobs. By 1972, OPAI's care services at Villa Gonzaga had ceased to exist.

1. COMUNE DI
OLGIATE OLONA
VILLA GONZAGA
AND
OPAI
THE ORIGINS OF OPAI
In the first years of 900’ , after the loss of her
three children at a very young age, Clotilde
Perelli started to attend the Milanese Associa-
tion against Tuberculoss. The woman worked
on an important project with the help of
Marianna Visconti and Luigi Mangiagalli.
In 1914 the first project of OPAI was born in
Milan under Mangiagalli’s chairmanship.
The association looked for a suitable location
to welcome the children in a healthy environ-
ment in which they could be helped, educated
and cured.
From 1918 the OPAI used the 18th century
villa of Olgiate Olona thanks to Pietro Preda’s
donation.
Within a few years Villa Gonzaga became the
“Casa dei Bambini di Olgiate Olona”, the
Children’s Home of Olgiate Olona. Children
from zero to twelve years old, later from zero
to sixteen years of age, were accepted.
Over the years, the facility started to include
care services and there are many testimonials
in its favour. In 1925 the pavilion was inaugu-
rated by King Victor Emanuel III.
In 1972 OPAI’s care services ceased to exist.
OPAI
(The first Italian Children’s
Antitubercolosis Preventorium)
OPAI
DIRE FARE SCOPRIRE s.r.l.
Servizi Tour e Guide
V. Cantoni, 89
21053 Castellanza VA

2. Before being accepted to the institute,
the children had to have a general
medical visit, in particular of the res-
piratory, auditive and visual system.
In the absence of infective diseases,
the children were admitted to the ward
and were observed for a few days.
OPAI wanted to take care of its
children and to offer them professional
training to guarantee that they would
find a job in the future. The children
helped in the preparation of all the
Christian Sacraments.
Important people and benefactors
were godmother and godfather to the
children.
One of the many interesting
testimonials is the one of a teacher,
Sara Pratelli, who told us about the
children she taught, in particular about
an orphan girl, who before going
through adolescence was forced to
start work. The teacher looked at all
her children with a motherly eye and
worried about their health.
OPAI A PLACE TO DISCOVER
Education in the preventorium was
managed by the nuns of Saint Clarity of
Giovanna Antida Thouret. The nursery
school at OPAI was based on the method of
Montessori-Agazzi, whereas in the primary
school they tried to balance the compulsory
training with the weak physiques of the
hospitalised children.
The didactic programs were created to
make studying fun and enjoyable. In fact,
extra curricular activities were added.
During break times the children had a gar-
den and game rooms, as well as a small
theatre, in which they could play, says
Sanzoni Angelo. Sanzoni grew up in the
building and tells us about his experience
and of the extra curricular activities, which
he enjoyed.
Particular attention was devoted to the
cure and prevention of tuberculosis and a
part of the building was destined to
welcome children suffering from IQ-related
syndromes.
At the “Casa dei bambini di Olgiate Olo-
na” great importance to moral education
was given. Due to the fact that it was
considered the preventorium’s task to
educate the children so that they
would enter into society in the best phys-
ical and moral condition possible.
The children’s life was organized in a way
to combine the cure of the mind with that
of the body.
The cuisine was considered to be the real
cure for the children because it guaran-
teed good health and a complete and
balanced diet.
However, it was not easy due to the
period of serious economic crisis caused
by the wars.
Organisation Education and Didactic
Programs Moral Education