Sint Elisabeth Gesticht, Historic medical institution on Mauritskade, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Sint Elisabeth Gesticht is a medical building in Amsterdam arranged with four wings around a central rectangular courtyard. The facades feature brown-red brick with natural stone details and generous windows designed to bring light into the patient areas.
The building opened in 1889 as a care facility for former orphans from the Catholic Maagdenhuis who had become invalid or chronically ill. It later transformed into a hotel, showing how historical structures can adapt to serve new purposes.
The chapel inside features Byzantine-style ribbed vaults and restrained decorative elements that show how religion was central to caring for patients here. Visitors can observe how the design expresses spiritual values through its architectural choices.
The building has a clear layout with courtyards that make it easy to navigate and understand the space. Wide corridors and thoughtfully placed windows keep the interior bright and open, making it simple to move around.
The building was designed as a hospital but has undergone a complete transformation in purpose - it now houses a hotel and event spaces. This change shows how older structures can remain alive by taking on new roles while preserving their architectural character.
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