Hospital and Church of San Roque, Santiago de Compostela, Religious complex in Santiago de Compostela, Spain
The Hospital and Church of San Roque form a two-story complex with a rectangular layout and a cloister supported by Doric columns. The Renaissance facade is decorated with Tuscan pilasters, and the Baroque church complements the original hospital structure.
Archbishop Francisco Blanco established the hospital in 1578 to care for plague victims, with cathedral architect Gaspar de Arce completing construction in 1583. The Baroque church was added later, dedicating the site to Saint Roch, patron of plague sufferers.
The church displays Baroque features with a notable altarpiece by Simón Rodríguez, while statues of Saints Cosmas and Damian adorn the hospital's upper facade. These artworks reflect the religious devotion connected to healing from illness.
The site is accessible to visitors who wish to explore the cloister and church architecture. It is best to visit during regular hours, keeping in mind that parts of the complex are still used by various institutions.
The complex combines a 16th-century Renaissance hospital structure with an 18th-century Baroque church, both dedicated to Saint Roch. This duality shows how medical care and religious architecture evolved across two centuries.
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