Hospital of la Venerable Orden Tercera, 17th-century hospital in central Madrid, Spain.
The Hospital of la Venerable Orden Tercera is a 17th-century building with a rectangular inner courtyard, two stories, and a garden designed in Baroque style. Large windows in the surrounding galleries flood the central space with natural light and create a sense of openness.
Construction began in 1686 on land that once belonged to a royal advisor, and the hospital officially opened its doors in 1697 to serve patients. A distinctive double-ramp staircase, built in 1683 by two skilled brothers, became a defining structural feature of the interior.
The chapel holds artworks by renowned painters, with religious compositions that reflect the spiritual mission of the religious order that ran this place. These pieces reveal how artistic patronage and healing care were intertwined in this setting.
The building preserves its original layout with arches, columns, and handcrafted details from the Baroque period that remain clearly visible. Visitors should allow time to explore the architectural features found throughout the courtyard and the surrounding galleries.
The hospital was operated by a religious brotherhood dedicated to patient care, which explains why spiritual and medical functions were so closely merged in its design. This connection between faith and healing is evident in how the chapel and ward spaces were thoughtfully arranged together.
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