Casa de la Misericòrdia, Renaissance architectural ensemble in El Raval, Spain.
Casa de la Misericòrdia is an architectural ensemble in El Raval that combines Renaissance elements with historicist design. The structure features solid stone facades and interior courtyards that shape its complex form and spatial organization.
The building was established in 1581 as a place of refuge for vulnerable young women, with its care mission formally beginning in 1684. Over time it evolved into an educational center that served the community for generations.
The name reflects its original mission of providing mercy and care to those in need, a purpose that still echoes through how the building is used today. The spaces convey the gravity and compassion that defined its past role in the community.
The building sits near La Rambla and is relatively easy to reach while exploring the neighborhood. Note that parts of it are still in use as a school, so not all areas may be openly accessible to visitors.
The facade still preserves a foundling wheel, a mechanical device used until 1931 that allowed infants to be placed anonymously into the institution's care. This tool represents a hidden method of compassion during difficult times.
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