Maristan of Granada facts for kids
The Maristan of Granada was an old hospital in Granada, Spain. It was built in the 14th century when the Nasrid rulers were in charge. Sadly, it was torn down in the 19th century.
History of the Maristan
Maristans were like hospitals in the Islamic world a long time ago. They first appeared in the eastern parts of the Islamic world and later came to places like Morocco and Al-Andalus (parts of Spain).
The Maristan of Granada was built by the Nasrid sultan Muhammad V. Construction started in 1365 and finished in 1367. It was located in the lower Albaicín area, close to the Darro River and an old bathhouse called El Bañuelo.
This hospital was special because it treated people with mental illnesses. While it might have started as a general hospital, it slowly became known for helping those with mental health issues. It was one of the first hospitals in Europe to focus on this kind of care. Similar hospitals in Christian Spain only started appearing in the early 15th century.
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After Muslim rule ended in Granada in 1492, the Maristan building was used for other things. In 1502, it became a place where coins were made, called a mint. Later, it was given to a group of friars. In the 18th century, it was even used as a winery! Finally, it became a building with many small apartments before being left empty.
By the 1800s, the building was mostly ruins. It was almost completely torn down in 1843, and more parts were removed in 1984. After it was demolished, the cool stone lion fountains from the Maristan were moved. They are now on display at the Alhambra Museum, along with a stone that shows when the hospital was built.
How the Maristan Looked
We know what the Maristan looked like thanks to old drawings from the 19th century and modern archaeological digs. Its design was similar to another old Nasrid building called the Corral del Carbón.
The building was a rectangle, about 38 meters long and 26.5 meters wide. It was made of brick and covered with plaster. Inside, there was a large central courtyard. Around the courtyard were four long halls, which were divided into many small rooms. At each corner, there were square halls with stairs leading to a second floor, which had a similar layout.
The central courtyard was about 26 by 15 meters and had a covered walkway around it. In the middle of the courtyard was a long, rectangular pool. Two stone lion fountains stood on the longer sides of this pool. While pools were common in buildings from this time, the stairs leading into this pool suggest it might have been used for special baths to help people feel better.
Pieces found during digs show that the inside of the building was decorated with colorful tiles, carved stucco, and marble. The stone lions, which you can see at the Alhambra Museum, are made of dark marble and look more like a stylish drawing of a lion than a real one.
The outside of the building had a grand, decorated entrance. Above the wooden doors, there was a beautiful design. It included geometric patterns carved in brick, a pointed arch, and plant-like designs. Inside the arch was a long stone panel with the hospital's founding message written in Arabic letters. These letters were painted gold on a turquoise background. This important stone panel is also kept at the Alhambra Museum today.
Restoring the Maristan Today
After many years of being abandoned, a big project started in 2020 to restore the Maristan's remains. It was delayed a bit by the COVID-19 pandemic that year. This project is getting money from the European Regional Development Fund.
The first part of the work focused on fixing and strengthening the southern part of the building, which was the only original section left after the demolitions. This first phase was finished in 2022. Since January 2023, visitors can now explore the site. As of March 2023, plans were being made for a second phase. This next step aims to restore the rest of the site and create an easier entrance for visitors.
During the early digs, several interesting things were found. For example, an 11th-century well was discovered under the courtyard. This well is even older than the Maristan itself! Also, from the time after the Maristan was a hospital, workers found furnaces and a cooling pond from when the building was used as a mint. These discoveries have been kept and are now part of what visitors can see at the restored site.
See also
In Spanish: Maristán Nazarí para niños
