Hospital Bazán, cultural property in Marbella, Spain
Hospital Bazán is a Renaissance building with Gothic-Mudéjar influences in old Marbella, originally built as the mayor's residence. The structure features two interior courtyards with arcaded galleries, three ornate Mudéjar ceilings with wooden and metal geometric patterns, and a corner tower with a carved stone shield at its southwest corner.
The building was founded around 1570 when mayor Alonso de Bazán left two of his houses by will to establish a hospital for the poor. It served the community as a hospital for nearly three centuries until it was restored in 1989 and opened as the Museum of Contemporary Spanish Engraving in 1992.
The name comes from Alonso de Bazán, a local mayor who left his mansion to serve the poor and establish medical care for the town. The building sits near the church of Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación and forms part of the old town's historical character, showing how one person's generosity shaped community life for centuries.
The museum is centrally located in the old town on Calle Hospital Bazán and is easy to reach on foot after walking through narrow historic streets. It is open most weekdays with shorter hours on Mondays and Saturdays, so checking the site before visiting helps plan your time.
The museum has housed a collection of letters and photographs from French artist Jean Cocteau since 2021, donated by his friend Pepe Carleton after Cocteau spent time in Marbella during the 1960s. These personal items offer visitors a rare glimpse into how a renowned artist lived during his time in the city.
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