Porto's Neoclassical Hospital

Porto's Neoclassical Hospital

The somewhat grubby facade of the Hospital de Santo António in Porto. This is only a small part of the front elevation - it's actually a pretty imposing building. 

The hospital was designed by the renowned English architect  John Carr towards the end of the 18th century. The neoclassical behemoth was completed in 1824, over 50 years after the project was started.

Whilst there is a large modern extension to the rear of the hospital many of the original features remain. There are some gardens to the rear of the building in which there is a small chapel. Just along from the main entrance is a small museum consisting of two historic rooms: the Museu do Centro Hospitalar do Porto. Here you can learn a little about the history of medicine and pharmacology in Portugal.

 

Porto

Porto travel guide »

Porto is considered the capital of the north and as the second largest city in Portugal, rightfully so. There are really very few similarities between Porto and Lisbon – they are both near the coast, on the banks of large rivers and...