In 1857 a princess’s name graced a Madrid hospital. The Hospital Universitario de la Princesa opened its doors. It was a gift. A thank you. A testament to the survival of a queen and her daughter. Queen Isabella II’s firstborn daughter Princess Isabella received the title of Princess of Asturias. The queen had survived an assassination attempt. She commissioned the hospital. It was named in honor of her surviving daughter. The original hospital stood on Paseo de Areneros. It later became Calle de Alberto Aguilera.
The Hospital Universitario de la Princesa served the people of Madrid for many years. It changed names during Spain’s tumultuous history. It became the Hospital Nacional then the Hospital de la Beneficencia General. The Spanish Civil War brought changes. The proximity to the fighting forced a move. It temporarily relocated to the Colegio del Pilar.
The hospital’s location shifted. It was not always on Calle de Diego de León. A new building replaced the old one. It was inaugurated in 1955. The architects Amos Salvador Carreras and Manuel Martinez Chumillas designed it. Chumillas also had connections to the GATEPAC group during the Second Republic. The new hospital was named Gran Hospital de la Beneficencia General del Estado.
The Hospital Universitario de la Princesa underwent significant renovations. These took place between 1978 and 1984. Architects Alfonso Casares Avila and Reynaldo Ruiz Yébenes were responsible. Queen Sofia and Minister of Health Ernest Lluch attended the reopening in 1984. The original name of the Hospital Universitario de la Princesa was restored. It gained university status. It became associated with the Autonomous University of Madrid.
In 2012 a plan to transform the hospital was proposed. It would become a center specializing in elderly care. This caused uproar among staff and patients. The proposal was eventually rejected. Today the Hospital Universitario de la Princesa continues to serve its community. It remains a vital part of Madrid’s healthcare system. It stands as a reminder of a royal gift a testament to resilience and a vital institution.