Hidden behind a wall stands the Hospital de Maudes. A former hospital now repurposed. It was once known as the Hospital of Jornaleros. This means Hospital of Day Labourers. It served the poorer classes of Madrid.
The Maudes Hospital opened on June 23 1916. Architects Antonio Palacios and Joaquín Otamendi designed it. The building’s white limestone facade is striking. Its eclectic architecture resembles the Cybele Palace. Both feature prominent towers. The church at the Hospital de Maudes is especially noticeable. It has a street-level entrance. The complex is mostly enclosed by walls. Courtyards provided space for patient recuperation. The courtyards’ design might have been influenced by the Hostal dos Reis Católicos in Galicia. Palacios was from Galicia. He would have been familiar with it.
After the Spanish Civil War the hospital became a military hospital. It fell into disuse around 1970. The Community of Madrid later acquired the property. The church remained intact. The complex was declared a Monumento Histórico Artístico in 1979. The Community of Madrid renovated it. The Hospital de Maudes celebrated its centenary in 2016 with guided tours and concerts. Its history is rich and complex. It reflects the changes in Madrid over time. From a hospital for the poor to a military hospital. Then an abandoned space. Finally a renovated historical landmark. The Maudes Hospital stands as a testament to Madrid’s past. It continues to be a significant part of the city’s heritage. Today this area is a council of the Community of Madrid. The octagonal central patio is an original feature. Four galleries extend from it. The complex includes administrative offices a church and former nursing units. It was once used as a scrap warehouse. It is now a reminder of Madrid’s resilient spirit. Its story shows how a building can adapt and survive. It also embodies the city’s history. It is a crucial piece of Madrid’s ever-evolving identity.