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| José Nuñez Pernía, Primer Marqués de Nuñez. Fundador del Instituto Homeopático y Hospital de San José photo: hospitalhomeopatico.es |
It is not a very well-known place even for the native inhabitants of Madrid… This hospital was founded in 1874 by a group of doctors and supporters by Samuel Hahnemann, the inventor of homeopathy. They did not agree with conventional medicine of their time, usually including painful and useless treatments. They also wanted to offer their services to anyone, regardless of the economic situation. And finally, they needed their own independent hospital and also a center, some sort of school to teach their therapeutical methods to other professionals.
The founder of the hospital was Dr. José Núñez (1805-1879). He had been the personal physician for Queen Isabel II and other members of the royal family.
The hospital had capacity for 50 patients and 500 people were attended to annually.
The project was commissioned by architect José Segundo de Lema, who also worked for the Queen. He designed a U-shaped building around a central courtyard.
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| Statute representing St. Joseph and Baby Jesus in the courteyard |
The main façade has a wooden gallery with glasses all over. They considered light has a strong healing power, so patients could lie comfortably on couches and receive the rays of sunlight filtering through the windows. With fine weather, windows could be opened and the hall became a sundeck.
Adequate and healthy food was another important part of therapy!
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| Dr. Núñez was buried, under a headstone behind this statute, more than 100 years ago |
During the Civil War, the hospital was used to donate blood. After the war, most of the doctors went into exile and the hospital was abandoned for many years. It became a mysterious and even creepy place in the middle of the city. Later it was a nursing home. Finally, in 1997, it was declared as Heritage of Cultural Interest and it was restored.
Currently, it works again as a hospital for homeo and other alternative therapies. It still maintains the residence, where you can visit the old chapel and the Museum of Homeopathy. Guided visits are also available!
Have a look at the museum of the hospital
Or see video about San Jóse Homepatic Hospital in Chamberi, Madrid
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