Hospital of Saint Michael, Medieval hospital building in Zafra, Spain.
The Hospital of Saint Michael is a former medical facility in Zafra that consists of two sections: a chapel with Mudejar architectural elements and an infirmary wing with Gothic features. The sections stand together and form the original layout of the complex.
A noblewoman named Constanza Osorio founded this hospital in 1480 as a way to serve sick and poor people. The facility played an important role in the community life of the city over the centuries.
The chapel displays Mudejar style elements, created by craftspeople who blended Christian and Islamic artistic traditions. This visual approach shapes the interior space today, visible in the decoration and structural details of the chapel.
The building complex is located in central Zafra and is easily reached on foot when exploring the historic old town. Note that the structure is currently in poor condition and may not always be open for visits, so it is best to plan ahead or ask locally.
In the 1700s the facility received a major financial gift that was specifically meant for treating a disease that was widespread at that time. This unusual donation shows how the medical challenges of an earlier era shaped the direction and work of the hospital.
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