Hospital de los Venerables (Hospital of the Venerable), Seville

Hospital de los Venerables (Hospital of the Venerable), Seville

The Hospital de los Venerables is the home of the Velazquez Center. The center is an art museum dedicated to the painter Diego Velazquez.

The building was originally used as a shelter for elderly, poor and disabled priests. Construction began in 1675 with a design by architect Juan Dominguez. It was completed in 1697 after architect Leonardo de Figueroa took over the plans.

The hospital functioned as a home for priests through the mid-19th century. At that point, it became a textile factory. However, complaints led to the hospital being reused as a residence for the priests until it was finally closed in the 1970s.

Restoration on the hospital began in 1987 and was completed in 1991. It was then that Queen Sofia dedicated the building to the works of Velazquez. It also features works by Martinez Montanes, Murillo, Valdes Leal and Roldan. Patrons will enjoy murals and sculptures throughout the building.

The Hospital de los Venerables is open daily from 10 AM through 6 PM. The cost for admission is 5.50 EUR for adults. Included in the price is an audio guide which is very clear and very informative on the art displayed. It is free for children ages 11 and under. The chapel is also very nice & the park across the street is a neat place for a picnic lunch.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Seville. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

Download The GPSmyCity App

Hospital de los Venerables (Hospital of the Venerable) on Map

Sight Name: Hospital de los Venerables (Hospital of the Venerable)
Sight Location: Seville, Spain (See walking tours in Seville)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Seville, Spain

Create Your Own Walk in Seville

Create Your Own Walk in Seville

Creating your own self-guided walk in Seville is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Seville Introduction Walking Tour

Seville Introduction Walking Tour

Seville is the largest city and provincial capital of Andalusia. It is in the southwest of Spain, on the banks of the Guadalquivir. Ancient tradition holds that Seville was founded by Hercules. It was called Hisbaal by Phoenician colonizers for the god Baal. The Romans latinized the name, calling it Hispalis.

In the year 711 CE the city was brought under Muslim rule and renamed Ishbiliyah. It...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.9 Km or 3 Miles
Old Seville Walking Tour

Old Seville Walking Tour

Seville's varied history has left behind a great deal of heritage, much of which is seen in the Old Town, the largest in Europe. Barrio de Santa Cruz is the former Jewish quarter of Seville, and one of the famous districts here. From 1248 to 1492, it had been inhabited by the largest Jewish community in Spain – eventually driven out, leaving this beautiful neighborhood forlorn.

Today the...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
Flamenco Walking Tour

Flamenco Walking Tour

They say if it's Flamenco – it's Andalusia, and if it's Andalusia – it's all about Seville. Indeed, with its roots deeply embedded in the Andalusian culture, Seville is a prime destination for experiencing the essence of Flamenco and is largely considered to be the home of this fiery dance.

Flamenco sites are found all over the city – in bars, theaters, or specialized...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles

Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip


16 Uniquely Spanish Things to Buy in Seville

16 Uniquely Spanish Things to Buy in Seville

Immortalized by Gioachino Rossini in his famous The Barber of Seville opera, the city of Seville is a major historic and cultural sight adorning the face of modern Spain. Much of the city's character is reflected in the locally-made products that can make for a great gift or trip memento...