Recinto del Hospital Viejo y Ermita de Santa Lucía, Renaissance church and former hospital in Sant Francesc, Spain.
The Recinto del Hospital Viejo y Ermita de Santa Lucía is a Renaissance building in Sant Francesc that once served as both a hospital and chapel. The structure displays two naves divided by rounded arches, with walls and architectural details reflecting classical Renaissance style.
The Brotherhood of Santa Lucía was founded in 1238, shortly after King James I of Aragon conquered Valencia and began establishing institutions in the city. The building then grew into an important center for care and religious life in the community.
The name Santa Lucía honors the patron saint of the brotherhood that founded this place, and her veneration still shapes how the space feels today. Visitors can see this devotion in the painted walls and religious objects scattered throughout the interior.
The upper floor houses a museum with artworks and relics connected to the brotherhood, and guided tours are available for visitors. It helps to allow enough time to explore both the architectural details and the collections upstairs.
Two bells named Santa Lucía and Santa Águeda hang in the bell gable and have rung out over the neighborhood for centuries. These bronze bells are part of the craftsmanship tradition and add to the acoustic identity of the place.
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