Old Hospital of Saint Catherine, Girona

The Old Hospital of Saint Catherine (Antic Hospital de Santa Caterina) is a 17th-century Baroque landmark set against Girona’s ancient city walls. Built in the mid-1600s to replace a medieval hospital that no longer met the needs of the community, it was dedicated to Saint Catherine of Alexandria and served as a charitable institution for the sick and poor for over two centuries. Its establishment reflected a broader post-medieval movement toward improving public welfare and urban infrastructure, making it one of the city’s most important civic projects of the era. The hospital continued its medical and charitable functions until its closure in 2004, and in 2013 it was declared a Cultural Asset of National Interest (BCIN).

Architecturally, the building blends Baroque and classical elements, with a dignified façade featuring ornamental stonework and a prominent coat of arms. The design follows a traditional layout organized around a central courtyard, ensuring light and air reached the patient wards-an essential consideration in early hospital architecture. The chapel, also dedicated to Saint Catherine, provided spiritual care alongside medical treatment, reflecting the period’s integration of faith and healthcare.

Today, the former hospital houses the offices of the Generalitat in Girona, but several historic areas remain open to visitors through guided tours. Highlights include the Magnolia Courtyard, decorated in the early 20th century, the interpretation space of the former hospital, and the lobby with its original 17th-century wainscoting. The tour also visits the Baroque-era pharmacy and the former chapel, where Ramon Martí i Alsina’s celebrated painting ''The big day in Girona'' (El gran dia de Girona) is displayed, offering a compelling glimpse into the city’s medical, artistic, and social heritage.