[SPAIN] Barcelona - Hospital de Sant Pau

15:29 Travel Bunny 1 Comments

The administrative building at the entrance looks really impressive.

The hospital has a tunnel system that connects the pavilion to the others to allow patients to be quickly moved to their rooms. 

Sant Salvador Pavilion was the first building to be brought into operation in 1916. Visitors can learn about the history of the old hospital and discover the work and career of the architect here. 

Since its foundation, the income of the hospital institution remained dependent on charitable donations, gifts and bequests from private individuals. The hospital received various privileges bestowed by the kings and popes, of note among which was the privilege of inheriting the assets of people who died without leaving a will or any legitimate descendant (in 1405, ratified in 1418).

This art installation is a free, contemporary interpretation of a dragon which seeks to explore the figure of Lluís Domènech i Montaner.

The construction of the new Sant Pau Art Nouveau Site was possible thanks to the generosity of a Catalan banker resident in Paris: Pau Gil i Sierra. On his death in 1896, he bequeathed a considerable portion of his fortune for the construction of a new modern hospital in Barcelona, dedicated to Saint Paul.

The concept is "Park Hospital" which has a lot of open and green space. The colourful buildings surrounded by trees don't make it seem like a hospital at all. The design of the new hospital is a pioneering model hospital which affirmed the importance of open space, sunlight and good ventilation in the treatment of patients. The patients were able to breathe fresh air, enjoy plenty sunlight and recover their illness in a relaxed environment.

This chapel-like building in the middle is the Operations House.

Interior of the examination room. When it first opened, the Sant Rafael pavilion had 28 beds and, until the 1960s, it was a single space. This was where the doctors examined their patient's bodies as well as giving explanation to the patients.

Can you guess what is this medical equipment? It was a X-ray apparatus with a fluorescent screen and a vertically movable arm (1920s).

Others medical equipment on display.

Some hospital beds inside the examination room.

At the end of the area, you can see the monastery pavilion which was designed by the architect's son. It consists of three parts connected by small covered pedestrian bridges. In 2009, Sant Pau's healthcare activities were transferred to a modern building located in the northern section of the ground.

Back to the administrative building. 

The entrance hall has large marble columns and mosaic-covered ceilings. 

The stunning corridor on the first floor.

Also don't miss out the beautiful Amphitheater on 2nd floor. I wish I had more time to explore the hospital ground. But since I have booked the timed-entry to Sagrada Familia which is nearby (10-15 minutes walk away), I had to rush over to meet the admission time. It is recommended to arrange a visit to both sites at the same time. 

This fascinating hospital with over 600 years of history is certainly well worth a visit while visiting Barcelona.

Hospital de Sant Pau