Old Charity Hospital

The Old Charity Hospital of Portmán is now home to the Archaeological Museum of this La Unión district. The building was erected in 1882 by Carlos Mancha, inaugurated as hospital in 1891 and categorized as a monument of cultural interest in 1995. Between the late 19^th century and the early 20^th century, coinciding with the mining boom in the area and precarious working conditions, the hospital was built with the idea of assisting workers wounded in the galleries and affected by professional sicknesses, although a pay service was also offered to those who could afford it.

 

This two-story building has a rectangular floor with rooms around a reinforced double-door central dome. There is also an octagonal tower topped by a ball dome decorated with a small lantern.  In the past, the lower floor housed the chapel, hall, religious rooms, surgery room and patio, whereas the top floor included two wards separated by a staircase and four rooms for patients.