Hidden among the buildings stands Sant Llàtzer. Its Romanesque apse hints at a rich history. This small chapel was once the heart of a leper hospital. Imagine the lives touched within its walls.
Sant Llàtzer’s story begins in the 12th century. Bishop Guillem de Torroja founded a hospital for lepers. This was a time of great stigma and suffering for those afflicted. The hospital stood just outside the city walls. Sant Llàtzer served as its chapel. Legend says even Saint Francis of Assisi might have prayed here. He certainly showed compassion for the poor.
For centuries Sant Llàtzer served the city’s most vulnerable. The hospital united with Santa Creu in 1401. But Sant Llàtzer remained a place of solace. The last lepers left in 1907. That era’s ending marked a turning point.
The 19th century saw changing times. Anticlerical sentiment grew in Barcelona. This unfortunately affected the chapel. Sant Llàtzer’s unique architecture was altered. A new facade hid its beauty. Worse yet an arson attempt occurred. In 1913 Sant Llàtzer closed. It became a storage space. Wood furniture and even iron were stored within its sacred walls.
Yet Sant Llàtzer’s spirit remained. In the 1950s its facade reappeared. Then came a period of restoration. Thanks to the efforts of many people the chapel saw a rebirth. Since 1997 the Sant’Egidio Community has been present. They have opened Sant Llàtzer to the Raval neighborhood. It continues to be a haven and a place of support for the poor. It is a testament to Barcelona’s enduring compassion.
Sant Llàtzer stands as a symbol. It is a reminder of both suffering and hope. It is a small chapel with a big heart. Its story is interwoven with Barcelona’s past. It is also a reflection of its present spirit of community. Here we find a sanctuary. Here we find history alive.