A monument to Prince P G Oldenburg. It once stood proudly before this very building.
Welcome to the Glazov Mariinsky Hospital. This isn’t just a hospital. It’s a living testament to Saint Petersburg’s rich history. Established in 1803 it initially served the city’s impoverished population. Its early days were humble. The hospital started in a repurposed correctional facility near the Kalinkin Bridge. Imagine the stark contrast.
By 1805 the main building and its wings were constructed. Giacomo Quarenghi a renowned neoclassical architect designed them. His elegant Empire style is evident in the building’s graceful lines. A fascinating detail. Many famous physicians practiced here. Ilya Vasilievich Kuybyshev. Karl Karlovich Reyer. Even Evgeny Vasilievich Pavlov left his mark. Their contributions shaped medicine in Saint Petersburg.
In 1828 the hospital gained its current name. It was renamed in honor of Empress Maria Fedorovna. This reflects the Imperial family’s concern for its citizens’ well-being. Later in 1848 a women’s ward was added. This was named Alexandrinskaya Hospital after the daughter of Nicholas I. She tragically died from tuberculosis. This location later became the Institute of Neurosurgery.
In 1894 the Mariinsky Hospital came under the city government. Advanced training courses were established for doctors. Women were admitted to these courses starting in 1904. This was progressive for the time. The hospital’s name changed again in 1918. It became the Hospital in Memory of Victims of the Revolution. This reflects the turbulent times of the Russian Revolution. It later became Kuybyshev Hospital in 1935. Only regaining its original name in 1992. This hospital has seen centuries of change.
New wings were added in the 1960s. The Mariinsky Hospital serves as a clinical base for the State Pediatric Medical Academy. Today it boasts 1300 beds. The bronze statue of Prince P G Oldenburg stood here until 1933. It was a tribute to his long service as head of the Council of Curators from 1839-1881.
The Mariinsky Hospital. A place of healing. A silent observer of history. A reminder that even amidst constant change. The spirit of compassion endures.