625 years of the Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau

This year marks the 625th anniversary of the founding of the Hospital de la Santa Creu, the historical origin of the present-day Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau.

The institution was founded in 1401 following an agreement between the Cathedral and the Consell de Cent of Barcelona, which brought together several hospitals in the city to create a single healthcare centre. That same year several key events consolidated the project: the beginning of the construction of the Gothic building, the incorporation of the Hospital de Sant Llàtzer and the Hospital dels Pelegrins, and the papal confirmation by Pope Benedict XIII, who officially recognised the new institution.

This foundation marked the beginning of a trajectory of more than six centuries, during which this charitable institution has evolved alongside the social, urban and healthcare changes of Barcelona. From its medieval origins to the development of the modernist complex designed by Lluís Domènech i Montaner, the Hospital has established itself as a leading institution in healthcare, education and research.

To mark this anniversary, the institution is promoting a programme of activities throughout the year combining institutional outreach, historical dissemination and public participation.

The programme will include conferences, exhibitions, concerts and special free-entry days, with the aim of highlighting Sant Pau’s historical, healthcare and heritage legacy and strengthening its bond with the public.

Throughout the year there will be a cycle of lectures dedicated to different episodes in the institution’s history, from its medieval origins to the period of the modernist complex designed by Lluís Domènech i Montaner. Several free-entry days will also be organised to coincide with important dates in the city’s cultural calendar, such as Sant Jordi, the Night of Museums, the 48H Open House or La Mercè.

The Biblioteca de Catalunya (former headquarters of the Hospital de la Santa Creu) will host an exhibition dedicated to the main healthcare milestones in the history of the Hospital.

These commemorative events will culminate in a special concert reviewing the history of the Hospital through different pieces performed by the Cor Vivaldi.

With this set of activities, Sant Pau aims to highlight a trajectory of more than six centuries at the service of health, knowledge and society, and to project into the future the legacy of an institution that has evolved over time alongside the history of Barcelona.

Round table: The origins of the Hospital de la Santa Creu

Pol Bridgewater, Antoni Conejo, Ximena Illanes i Salvatore Marino,
Institute for Research in Medieval Cultures (IRCVM), University of Barcelona.
Moderated by Sílvia Marimón.

(in Catalan, subtitled)

Round table: The Theatre of la Santa Creu

Antoni Ramon (UPC), Gabriel Sansano (UA) i Marc Adan (UAB).
Moderated by Carles Cols.

(in Catalan, subtitled)