Wonder what stories these walls could tell? This is the deserted Pananion Municipal Hospital of Heraklion. It stands on Plastira Street. Its history is etched in every stone.
The Pananion Municipal Hospital of Heraklion owes its existence to Pananos Theodoulakis and his wife Athena Anemogianni. They funded its construction. Work began in 1895. But the revolution of 1896 caused an interruption.
Construction restarted in November 1896. It then stopped again in 1897. The Cretan State era brought renewed efforts in 1900. Finally, on February 10 1902 the Pananion Municipal Hospital of Heraklion opened its doors.
Choosing this location was no accident. An investigation deemed it the healthiest spot in Heraklion’s old town. Imagine the care taken in selecting the perfect place for healing. The building’s design reflects classical standards. Functionality was also key.
In 1953 a new Pananio-Venizelio General Hospital opened near Knossos. The Pananion Municipal Hospital of Heraklion then ceased operations. But its legacy remained.
The Pananion Municipal Hospital of Heraklion complex features a large patio. At its heart stands a church. It is dedicated to Saint Panteleimon. He is the protector of patients. Originally the church was for Heraklion’s patron saint Saint Minas. Later it was handed to the Municipality of Heraklion.
Marble inscriptions mark the hospital’s entrance. They tell a tale of interrupted construction. The foundation stone was laid on May 28th. The revolution halted progress. Work resumed in November. It stopped again in 1897. The Cretan State’s establishment allowed work to restart in December 1900.
The Pananion Municipal Hospital of Heraklion’s inauguration occurred on 10-2-1902. The ceremony was held at St. Panteleimon’s Church. The founders ceded the hospital to the Holy Church of St. Minas. A year later the church committee gave it to the Municipality of Heraklion. This transfer was formalized with a notary’s deed.
The building is stone-built. It has a wooden tiled roof. The plot’s inclination influenced the design. The western part appears as ground floor. The eastern part is two-storied. The arrangement of rooms and facades followed the neoclassical style. Simplicity met functionality.
The central part is rectangular. The large yard dominates. The church of St. Panteleimon stands proudly. Patient rooms lined the eastern and western sides of the yard. The western part had two additional sections. One extended north. The other south. All rooms faced east or west.
Facades are symmetric. Chiselled stone masonry highlights the corners. Pilasters decorate the facades. The main entrance is central to the western facade. A corridor led to it. The roof over the corridor was adorned with finely carved wood.
Though now deserted the Pananion Municipal Hospital of Heraklion once played a vital role. It provided healthcare in a carefully chosen healthy location. Its architecture blended classical style with practical needs. The hospital and its church served the community. The Pananion Municipal Hospital of Heraklion stands as a testament to Heraklion’s past.