Renovation works on the facade and cloister of the former Santa Creu Hospital, located in Barcelona's Raval district, have recently commenced. This combined effort, with a total investment of two million euros, aims to recover original elements and preserve the historical heritage of the building, which served as a hospital between 1414 and 1926. The council anticipates the project will be completed by the first quarter of 2027.
The Councilor for Ciutat Vella, Albert Batlle, emphasized the significance of this intervention, describing it as "key for both heritage preservation and the revitalization of the Raval." Batlle highlighted that the renovation will ensure the structural stability and conservation of an architectural element "of great historical value" in the city's old town.
The cloister's renovation, costing 1.3 million euros, includes consolidating vaults and arches, cleaning stone and joints, and renewing the roof to ensure structural stability. Approximately 2,400 square meters are slated for remodeling. Work will begin with protecting the trees in the Rubió i Lluch gardens, followed by the removal of old pavements and plasterwork, manual surface cleaning, and fissure consolidation. Finally, the structure will be reinforced, and a new traditional Catalan roof will be constructed.
Concurrently, the rehabilitation of the main facade has a budget of 700,000 euros for cleaning, restoration, and replacement of architectural elements across its 1,089 square meters. Initial tasks involve demarcating the renovation area to allow pedestrian and vehicle access, as well as protecting the main portal. Subsequently, non-original or deteriorated elements will be removed, and facades, eaves, and gutters will be cleaned. The final phase will include restoring stone volumes on the cornice, repairing a sculpted group, and fixing fissures and joints.
According to Albert Batlle, this restoration aims to create "a new center of centrality" in the Raval neighborhood. This initiative complements other projects such as the renovation of the Doctor Fleming gardens, the future reform of the Boqueria Market, and the opening of a passage connecting the hospital's internal gardens with Plaça de la Gardunya. Plaça de la Gardunya will also undergo a renovation that includes rehabilitating the former nursery to house an expansion of the Massana school.
The City Council emphasizes that this set of interventions "will contribute to generating a new space" around the former hospital, defining it as "a cultural lung with new public spaces and facilities." In the long term, approximately 12,000 square meters are planned for improvements to cultural facilities, including the construction of a library and the expansion of the Biblioteca de Catalunya.
