Let’s step back in time to when the Szpital Kliniczny Dzieciątka Jezus was first built. It stands here on the corner of Lindley and Chałubińskiego, a majestic building that has witnessed centuries of history. The Szpital Kliniczny Dzieciątka Jezus, which means “Hospital of the Infant Jesus,” has a long and fascinating history, dating back to 1732. It was originally called “Dom Podrzutków,” which translates to “Foundling Home,” established by Gabriel Piotr Baudouin, a priest from the Congregation of the Mission.
The original building was quite small and had a difficult, nomadic existence. At one point, it was even moved to Warecki Square. In 1758, it was finally given a new name, “Szpital Generalny Dzieciątka Jezus” – “Hospital of the Infant Jesus.” This was because the building became a central institution for the city, providing medical treatment and care for the poor, pregnant women, invalids, old people, orphans, and abandoned babies.
The hospital grew rapidly due to Warsaw’s booming population and their need for medical care. The existing space simply wasn’t enough. This led to the decision to build a new and larger hospital. The construction began in 1897 and was completed in 1901. The new Szpital Kliniczny Dzieciątka Jezus was designed by Jozef Pius Dziekoński, an architect based in Warsaw. It was the largest and most modern medical facility in Poland at the time, built using the modern pavilion system, meeting the standards of European hospitals.
What is very special and often overlooked is the fact that the hospital in the beginning hosted not only a Roman Catholic chapel but also an Orthodox Eastern church. The complex was enormous: 22 buildings, 727 beds for adults and children, and 4 University clinics! It was a veritable city within a city. The building was a true pioneer in the field of teaching and training future doctors but also those who assisted them, like nurses. It was a center of learning and research.
This hospital remained a significant institution in Warsaw and served the people, providing medical care and saving lives even through the hardship of World War I and its aftermath. It became a refuge for Polish Underground soldiers, a place of safe haven for Jews persecuted during the Nazi regime. In 1975, the Szpital Kliniczny Dzieciątka Jezus became a branch of the newly built Central Clinical Hospital on Banacha Street.
Today, the Szpital Kliniczny Dzieciątka Jezus continues to serve the community as a leading hospital, and is known for its expertise in orthopaedic care and trauma. The building has been included in the register of historic monuments and remains a beloved landmark of Warsaw. Stepping inside and experiencing the quiet, peaceful atmosphere, it’s hard to imagine that this same structure, 300 years ago, served as home to the abandoned and unwanted. The Szpital Kliniczny Dzieciątka Jezus stands tall and proud and has evolved with the times, keeping one foot in the past and the other foot firmly in the future. In 2012, the name was officially changed to “Szpital Kliniczny Dzieciątka Jezus” and in 2013, the entire medical care for women and newborns was transferred to the University Center for Women’s and Newborns Health. The Szpital Kliniczny Dzieciątka Jezus, a beacon of hope and healing, is an important part of Warsaw, serving countless lives from its humble beginnings to its present-day role as a highly specialized medical facility.