Aachener Augenheilanstalt, ehemalige Fachklinik in Aachen
The Aachener Augenheilanstalt is an architectural monument in Aachen built in the late 1800s as a specialized eye hospital and stands intact today. The building displays classical details including rounded windows on lower floors, paired windows above, and a mansard roof with dormer windows, while the surrounding garden features winding paths and mature trees that once provided rest for patients.
The building opened in 1888 after an earlier clinic with 26 beds founded in 1879 became too small, offering capacity for up to 66 patients. It served as a military hospital during World War I before being decommissioned in 1935 and later repurposed as a youth home.
The eye hospital served as a center for medical learning and knowledge sharing in Aachen for many decades. Doctors gathered here regularly to discuss treatments and exchange ideas, showing how deeply this place was woven into the city's medical education and professional development.
The former hospital is easily accessible on foot and the exterior can be viewed from the street without special permission. Take time to examine the brickwork and classical details closely, as many fine decorative elements can easily be overlooked at first glance.
The hospital was one of the first modern eye clinics in the German-speaking region and was specifically designed with north-facing rooms to protect patients with eye problems from bright sunlight. This thoughtful construction shows how carefully architects of that era incorporated patient wellbeing directly into the building design.
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