Former Hospice

11 Méndez Núñez Street / Sol Street.

The history of this group of buildings reflects the long historical process of the construction of the Magdalena neighbourhood as it has suffered all its vicissitudes.

This building, which is located on a larger-than-usual plot of land for the neighbourhood, has a stately appearance and was built in a neoclassical style between 1800 and 1830. The pavilion opening on to Amboage square was a later addition. The building has an area of 494m² divided between a ground floor and two upper floors. The courtyard was designed in order to adapt the building to its philanthropic function and to join the section of the building on the square to the section on Sol street. The courtyard also serves to filter and regulate access to the premises and has become the most significant element.

Historically, the Amboage square section of the building housed the Casino Ferrolano. However, when the casino moved to its current location, the building became a hospice and the pavilion was added.

In 1904, there was a great fire and the occupants could not return until 1908. The building was used for the same function until the 1990s. Since then it has been used as a headquarters for the Dolores brotherhood, for a dance academy and for the Galician Natural History Society.

In 2011, due to the building´s deteriorated state, restoration work was begun. Work is scheduled to be completed in 2014 when the building will be destined for new uses.