Antic Hospital de la Santa Creu (Old Hispital of the Holy Cross), Barcelona

Established in the 10th century, this is one of the earliest medical complexes in Europe, boasting remarkable Gothic architecture. The surviving buildings primarily date back to the 15th and 16th centuries, with King Martin the Humane laying the foundation stone for the hospital in 1401. As you enter from Carrer del Carme, the first building on the left is the 18th-century Royal Academy of Medicine, preserving the surgical amphitheater where students once observed dissections and offering guided tours to the public on Wednesdays and Saturdays. On the right, across the way, you'll find the gateway to the patio of the House of Convalescence ("Casa de la Convalescència"), where recovering patients were relocated; it now houses the Institute for Catalan Studies. The forecourt walls are adorned with colorful ceramic tiles depicting scenes from the life of Saint Paul in blue and yellow.

Passing through a gate to the left of the House of Convalescence, you'll enter the garden-courtyard of the hospital complex, featuring a baroque cross and lined with orange trees. On the right, you'll discover the Biblioteca de Catalunya, Catalonia's national library, which holds an impressive collection of approximately 2 million volumes, second only to Madrid's National Library. The library itself is a stunning sight, with two parallel halls that stretch 70 meters (230 feet) long, adorned with towering Gothic arches and vaulted ceilings, designed in the 15th century. The library's resources span from the earliest history of printing, including silver medieval book covers and illuminated manuscripts from the medieval Catalonian liturgical music known as the "Llibre Vermell" ("Red Book"), to rare editions of Cervantes. (Guided group tours can be arranged by appointment on the Biblioteca's website.)

Leaving the complex through the sturdy wooden doors to Carrer Hospital, turn left toward La Rambla. The next set of doors leads to the Capella (Chapel) of the Hospital, an intriguing art space that is well worth a visit. Originally built in the early 15th century on the site of the old Hospital de Colom, founded in 1219, it now serves as a showcase for promising young artists selected by a jury of esteemed museum directors. The chapel's Romanesque tunnel vault and medieval arches provide an impressive backdrop for exhibiting their work.

Tip:
Check for special times (only 2 days per week) when you can reserve a tour to visit the ancient Pharmacy and the autopsy table amphitheater, as well as other interesting rooms in this complex.