“Eight hundred years of healing” is not just a motto here at St. Georg. It is a legacy. This hospital stands as Leipzig’s oldest. It is also the second largest after the University of Leipzig Medical Center. Founded in 1212, St. Georg has a rich history. It has evolved from a medieval hospital to a modern medical center.
In the early 13th century, Kaiser Otto IV confirmed the Thomaskloster foundations. He also confirmed the hospital in Leipzig. This original hospital known as Spittal Sente Jorgen was near today’s Rosentalgasse. It offered care for the sick and served as a refuge. It was a place for the homeless, orphans, and abandoned children.
By 1439, the Leipzig City Council took ownership. They committed to building a new hospital. This new facility was near the Ranstädter Tor until 1701. St. Georg faced many destructions and rebuilds across Leipzig. In 1908, the city council decided on the current Eutritzsch location. A modern hospital opened five years later. It focused on internal medicine, surgery, pathology, and pharmacy.
Over the centuries, prominent doctors shaped St. Georg. Professor Carly Seyfarth and Professor Oskar Wandel helped transform the hospital into a medical and social center. In 2006, the St. Georg group was founded. It now spans 17 locations in and around Leipzig. It includes medical care and social services such as drug assistance. Also, it includes community psychiatry and therapeutic living.
St. Georg has continuously existed for 800 years. It stands as one of Germany’s most modern hospitals. It has nearly 40 specialized areas with 1700 beds. St. Georg serves about 36000 patients each year. It fulfills its commitment to Leipzig’s healthcare needs.
During World War I, St. Georg served as a military hospital. It cared for almost 12000 wounded soldiers. Again in World War II, it became a military hospital. Despite this, the hospital suffered bomb damage.
After the war, St. Georg continued expanding. New clinics and institutes were established. In 1964, the District Institute for Blood Donation and Transfusion was established. By 1991, it was renamed Städtisches Klinikum St. Georg. It integrated other medical facilities. These included the Hubertusburg specialist hospital. Also, the Robert Koch Clinic and the Forensic Psychiatry Clinic.
Today, the St. Georg group includes Klinikum St. Georg gGmbH. Also, it includes the Municipal Hospital St. Georg Leipzig. The group has five subsidiaries. These provide services from standard to maximum care. About 75% is regional care. The other 25% covers specialized treatments.
The St. Georg group now has about 1700 beds. It offers various medical and social services. These include geriatric rehabilitation and care for those in comas. Also, they include drug assistance and tumor counseling. The hospital has a certified stroke unit and a breast center.
St. Georg also operates an infection center. It serves as a competence center for Germany. Its burn center is nationally recognized. It treats all burn levels. A helicopter landing pad links to the central emergency room.
In 2019, the SAIDA competence center opened. It supports girls and women facing genital mutilation. This reflects the hospital’s ongoing commitment to social needs.
As we stand here, consider St. Georg’s long journey. From a small medieval hospital. It evolved into a leading medical and social center. It embodies Leipzig’s commitment to care. It also embodies its resilience. The story of St. Georg is a story of continuous service. It is a story of dedication to the health and well-being of the community.