Hospital de la Santa Creu

Now a public library, the Hospital de la Santa Creu was for a long time the most important hospital in the city.

 

At the beginning of the 15th century, the city of Barcelona had six small hospitals. In 1401, these centres were united to create the Hospital de la Santa Creu, one of the oldest in Europe and the world. The hospital was managed by the Most Illustrious Administration and its income depended on alms, donations and legacies from individuals.

 

Over the years, the hospital incorporated new sources of funding through various privileges granted by kings and popes. For more than five centuries, the Hospital de Santa Creu was the main hospital of the city of Barcelona and its area of influence. Its contribution to the evolution of medicine was of primary importance. However, after five centuries of uninterrupted activity, the Santa Creu Hospital could no longer keep up with the growth of the city of Barcelona and the constant progress of medicine. The construction of a new hospital became necessary.

 

Construction of the new Santa Creu Hospital, named Sant Pau Hospital, beginning in 1902

 

The architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner was in charge of this huge building site, which would be called the Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, now known as Sant Pau Hospital or the Modernist Site of Sant Pau.

Construction of the buildings began in 1902 and the hospital was inaugurated in 1930. Over the years, the Santa Creu i Sant Pau Hospital has become an important point of reference for Barcelona's heritage and culture and has been declared a historical-artistic monument and UNESCO World Heritage Site.

 

In 2009, the healthcare activity moved to a new modern building on the north side of the complex, while the modernist buildings were renovated to highlight the work of Domènech i Montaner and make Sant Pau a knowledge centre of international importance and a new cultural reference point.

 

Today, the Santa Creu Hospital houses the Public Library of Catalonia. 

Hospital de la Santa Creu

Carrer de l'Hospital, 56, 08001 Barcelona, Spain

Area: El Raval
Email: bustiaSPAMFILTER@bnc.cat
Website: Old Hospital de la Santa Creu - Public Library - Barcelona
Opening hours: Monday to Friday: from 9am to 8pm. // Saturday from 9am to 2pm.
Phone: +34 933 020 797
Metro/Bus: Metro: L3 Liceu
Barcelona metro map
Hotels: Find your hotel in Barcelona in this area.
Last comment
only a library
Tita (19 Sep 2023 - 08:20)
Not to be confused - as I was - with the architect Lluís Domènech's Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, now known as Sant Pau Hospital or the Modernist Site of Sant Pau ;-) c
Add a new comment View comments

Nearby best places

  • Monument

    Hospital de la Santa Creu

    Today known as the Old Santa Creu Hospital and now a public library, the Hospital de la Santa Creu was for a long time the most important hospital in Barcelona. 

    El Raval - Carrer de l'Hospital, 56
  • El Jardí  - Barcelona
    Cafe

    El Jardí

    Cocktails, tapas, terrace, calm... What else ?

    Because Barcelona is a hectic city, the small terrace of El Jardí is perfect to relax in the calm if however, you manage to keep this address secret ;-).

    El Raval - Carrer de l'Hospital, 56
  • Cafe

    Rita Rouge

    Rita Rouge is a bar with a touch of class in Raval's district...

    El Raval - C/ Carme, 33
  • Caravelle - Barcelona
    Restaurant

    Caravelle

    Caravelle is a new café/ restaurant  in the district of the MACBA. Open all day long, one comes there for breakfast, lunch or dinner..

    El Raval - C/ Pintor Fortuny, 31
  • El Quim de la Boqueria - Barcelona
    Restaurant

    El Quim

    El Quim de la Boqueria is truly a family business...

    Ciutat Vella - La Rambla, 91

Last comments

Barcelona.com - 18 Mar 2024 - 14:26
@Ria
Hello Ria, If possible, go to the Aerobus collection point located in Barcelona airport Terminal 1 in the departures area. Aerobus has a 24-hour customer service for passengers, and you will be able to recover your lost item if it has been found.
Ria - 18 Mar 2024 - 10:10
Lost baggage
We left our bag in Aerobus today, any idea how we can get it back.
Barcelona.com - 13 Mar 2024 - 10:12
@samuel
Hello samuel, Tickets for the Champions League quarter finals will go on sale as soon as possible afert the draw to be held on March 15th. come back to this same page on the evening of the 15th or the morning of the 16th, See you soon,
Barcelona.com - 13 Mar 2024 - 10:12
@Rashmi Barker
Hello Rashmi Barker, The hop-on hop-off bus tour in Barcelona is highly accessible and offers facilities for people with disabilities. The buses are equipped with ramps and space for one wheelchair user on the ground floor, allowing easy access for individuals with mobility issues. Best,
Rashmi Barker - 13 Mar 2024 - 10:10
Hop on hoo off
Hi how accessible is the bus? Does it have priority seating fir people with a disability
samuel - 13 Mar 2024 - 10:08
bravo for the quarter-finals
When will tickets for the Champions League quarter finals go on sale? thank you
Jim - 11 Mar 2024 - 10:00
Visitor
Very helpful..Thanks for your effort!
Barcelona.com - 7 Mar 2024 - 12:34
@Erica S
Hello Erica S The two-day ticket for the Hop-on Hop-off bus must be used on two consecutive days. It cannot be used on Monday and Thursday, for example, but on Monday and Tuesday. The hop-on hop-off ticket is the same when purchased separately as when combined with the city pass. Have a great journey,

We Recommend >> Must-sees in Barcelona

These are the most recommended things to do in Barcelona for your holidays.

Barcelona Hotels

The ideal hotel for your stay

Whether you are looking for a family or a business stay or just for a weekend, we have selected for you the best hotels in the city to choose from. All categories at all prices. But also the bargains according to your travel dates. Have a good stay!

Barcelona Hop-On Hop-Off Bus tour

Barcelona Hop-On Hop-Off Bus

Best City Tour: One single ticket, 3 routes and 45 stops!

Discover city sightseeing at your own pace with our selection of Hop-On Hop-Off bus tour tickets. An extraordinary and economic way to make the first connection with main tourist attractions.

From € 31.00
Hola Barcelona Public Transport Card

Hola Transport Card

Unlimited access to public transport

Enjoy unlimited access from 48 to 120 hours to Barcelona's public transport: Metro, bus (TMB), urban railway (FGC, Zone 1), Montjuïc funicular, tram (TRAM), regional railway (Rodalies de Cataluny) + 1 round trip from the airport to the city center. Only excluding NitBus, Aerobus & hop-on hop-off.

From € 19.50
16/04/2024 FC Barcelona VS Paris Saint-Germain
FC Barcelona Football tickets

FC Barcelona vs Paris Saint-Germain

UEFA Champions League
Tuesday April 16th 2024 - 21:00
Olímpic Stadium Lluís Companys
Date and time confirmed
FC Barcelona Tickets - Champions League
FC Barcelona Official ticket agent - 2023-24 - FCBOOFM
From€ 275.00

4 comments

  1. only a library - Tita (19 Sep 2023 - 08:20)

    Not to be confused - as I was - with the architect Lluís Domènech's Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, now known as Sant Pau Hospital or the Modernist Site of Sant Pau ;-) c

  2. Dr Lazzari - Margarita Bobo (30 Nov 2017 - 08:18)

    quiero saver si esta nota llega a la Dr

    [email protected]

  3. Gaudí va morir a l'Hospital de la Santa Creu!!!! - Dabvid Cirici (4 Feb 2011 - 20:00)

    Confirmo el que diu un visiotant nostre! Gaudí va morir a l'Hospital de la Santa Creu, al carrer de l'Hospital, al Raval. Està perfectament documentat, i fins i tot hi ha testimonis vius, com Carlos Sentís, que va anar a veure en Gaudí amb el seu pare.

  4. gaudi n'y est pas mort.... - martine (24 Jul 2010 - 14:50)

    Non , Gaudi n'est pas mort dans cet hôpital ,qui rappelle étonnamment le "Palais de la Musique"...
    Il est mort ,après s'être fait renverser par un tram ,à l'hôpital
    San Pau ,au coeur de Barcelone...Cet établissement , édifié au Moyen Age, est resté hôpital jusqu'en 1926...
    Lors des obsèques de Gaudi , une foule immense attentait le départ du cortège funèbre qui sortit par la rue del Camen...
    Certes, on imagine très bien que le génial architecte ait pu mourir à la Santa Creu...non, il a rendu l'âme dans un lieu moins "flamboyant", mais néanmoins très beau et paisible qui sert maintenant de bibliothèque...

Your comment has been recorded and will be published after moderation.

Close
flag-de flag-en flag-es flag-fr flag-it flag-pt logo-ba-white icon-avatar icon-facebook icon-instagram