Old Medicine School of San Carlos

The Old Medicine School of San Carlos is a medical teaching institution and Royal College of Surgery in Madrid featuring neoclassical design. The building displays symmetrical windows, stone walls, and a central courtyard spanning three floors that was originally designed for demonstrations and instruction.

The institution was founded in 1837 through the collaboration of architects Isidro González Velázquez, Luis María Cabello Lapiedra, and Tiburcio Pérez Cuervo. It was recognized as a site of cultural interest in 1997, marking its importance in Spanish medical education and architectural heritage.

The school is named after Saint Charles Borromaeus, a patron saint of medicine. You can see how different rooms throughout the building still serve educational and exhibition purposes today.

The building is located at Calle de Atocha 106 and is open to visitors from Monday through Saturday. Guided tours can be reserved in advance and offer deeper insight into the rooms and collections inside.

The building houses an extensive collection of historical surgical instruments and anatomical specimens that have been used for teaching since the 19th century. These objects demonstrate how medical procedures and techniques evolved over many generations.