Krankenhaus Barmherzige Brüder, Medical center and church building in Linz, Austria
Krankenhaus Barmherzige Brüder is a hospital and church building in Linz that mixes modern medical facilities with protected historic structures that still stand today. The complex houses multiple patient units and departments spread across different building sections, including a baroque church with classical architectural details.
The institution started in 1755 and relocated to its present location in 1787 when Emperor Joseph II gave the former Carmelite monastery to the Brothers of Mercy. This transfer marked the beginning of its current medical and religious function in this location.
The hospital complex includes the Church of the Immaculate Conception of Mary, designed by architect Johann Michael Prunner, displaying classical baroque architecture.
The site is open for visits during regular hours, though medical areas are typically restricted to those with legitimate reasons for being there. If you want to see the church or other public sections, ask ahead about which areas are accessible to visitors.
During World War I, the Bishop of Linz, Rudolf Hittmair, worked as a nurse at this hospital and caught typhus while caring for wounded soldiers. This personal sacrifice shows the role the place played during the war as a center for treating war injuries.
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