A short distance from the Cathedral of Seville and the Alcazar is the Hospital de los Venerables Sacerdotes, one of the most surprising and secret attractions in Seville. Generally known simply as the Hospital de los Venerables, this building is hidden among the narrow streets of the Barrio Santa Cruz: wandering from one calle to another you’ll find it right in front of you when you arrive at Plaza de los Venerables.
The Hospital includes a space devoted to art exhibitions, the Velázquez Centre, a lovely patio and a splendid church in Sevillian baroque style: the building, constructed between the late seventeenth and the early eighteenth centuries, can indeed be considered one of the most complete and best-preserved examples of the Spanish baroque heritage.
ATTENTION: at present (May 2026) the Hospital de los Venerables is not open to tourist visits.
Today the building belongs to the Focus Abengoa Foundation, which has been based here since 1991. Under the foundation’s patronage, exhibitions are mounted and concerts are organised throughout the year in the chapel and in the exhibition centre. Particularly appreciated are the organ concerts that take place inside the Iglesia de San Fernando, the sacred place that has always been part of the Hospital de los Venerables.
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Brief history of the Hospital de los Venerables
Founded in the 17th century by Justino de Neve, the hospital was originally intended to house elderly priests who were retired or infirm, a project sponsored and strongly backed by the Confraternity of Silence.
The construction began in 1676 under the architect Juan Domínguez. The residential part of the building, however, was designed by the master architect Leonardo de Figueroa, one of the most important artists of the Spanish Baroque, who later completed the works on the entire building. De Figueroa was very active in Seville: he also oversaw the restoration of the Claustro Mayor of the Museo de Bellas Artes and was commissioned to finish the works on the Palacio de San Telmo in the Parque Maria Luisa.
The courtyard
The patio of the Hospital de los Venerables is very distinctive: it has a classic square shape, but in the centre of the courtyard, at a slightly lower level, there is a fountain encircled by concentric rings. This unusual design was probably intended to collect rainwater in case of shortage, given the hospital’s elevated position.
Around the cloister you will see galleries decorated with glazed tiles. Throughout the exterior space you can make out certain features characteristic of many of Seville’s gardens and courtyards: the presence of decorative orange trees, the typical Tuscan arches and the marble columns all help to create an atmosphere of peace and a harmony of spaces that make this precious architecture unique. One could say that the central patio is an eclectic yet perfectly harmonious blend of the Sevillian gardens and the classic cloisters found in convents.
The fountain in the centre follows the design by Bernardo Simón de Pineda and was built by Francisco Rodríguez. The decorative tiles are the work of Melchor Moreno. To reach the gallery on the upper level of the cloister – used as an exhibition space – you will have to climb a splendid staircase with walls covered in azulejos and a vaulted ceiling with Baroque-style plaster decorations.
ATTENTION: at present (October 2025) the Hospital de los Venerables is not open to tourist visits.
The Velázquez Centre
The Velázquez Centre is located on the ground floor and houses works by the great artist born in Seville in 1599, as well as paintings by other important Spanish artists. Among the most prestigious works are The Imposition of the Chasuble on Saint Ildefonso and Saint Rufina — a painting acquired for more than 12 million euros — by Diego Velázquez, Fray Pedro de Oña by Francisco Zurbarán, and Saint Catherine and Saint Agnes by Francisco Pacheco.
In addition to preserving an important collection of works by this significant Andalusian artist and his most distinguished contemporaries, the museum space also serves as a research centre and a point of reference for scholars of Spanish art.
The Church of San Fernando
Built in 1689, this small church has a single nave and is a jewel of incredible beauty. Luca de Valdés Leal and Virgilio Maltoni frescoed the main altarpiece. Among the frescoes by Juan de Valdés Leal and his son Luca de Valdés Leal I suggest you pay particular attention to The Apotheosis of Saint Ferdinand and The Last Supper. Inside the church you can also admire two sculptures by Pedro Roldán depicting Saint Ferdinand and Saint Peter, while the fine chased reliefs by Martínez Montañes are also worthy of mention.
Useful information for your visit
Hospital de los Venerables is at 8 Plaza de Venerables. In fact, the church’s façade faces Calle Jarmedana, but the entrance to the building is in the square that bears its name. On entering, you’ll find yourself in the lovely central patio I tried to describe earlier.
How to get there?
The easiest answer is on foot: the Barrio Santa Cruz is always ideal for pleasant walks. Just be careful not to get lost in the intricate maze of alleys. Here are two other options for those travelling by public transport:
- The nearest bus stop is Menéndez Pelayo (Jardines de Murillo) for lines 5, A3, A4 and A8. In just a 6-minute walk, passing through the gardens and near the Royal Alcázar, you will reach the entrance to the Hospital de los Venerables. Alternatively, with the C5 line you can get off at Plaza de la Contratación, behind Plaza del Triunfo, which is only about 5–6 minutes away.
- The nearest metro station is Puerta Jerez. From there, a short 10-minute walk will take you to the Hospital de los Venerables and the Velázquez Centre.
Opening hours of the Hospital de los Venerables
The opening hours are Monday–Saturday 10:00–19:00 and Sunday 10:00–15:00, but they may vary by season. Here you will find the most up-to-date times.
ATTENTION: at the present time (May 2026) the Hospital de los Venerables is not open to tourist visits.
Ticket prices and guided tours
The price of the admission ticket is 12 euros. Children under 12 enter free, while a reduced ticket (10 euros) is available for young people aged 13 to 18, for students up to the age of 25 and for those aged over 65. On Mondays from 3 pm to 7 pm admission is free. During the summer I recommend taking part in one of the atmospheric night-time guided tours or attending a costumed theatrical performance.
Where to stay?
The Hospital de los Venerables is in the heart of the Barrio Santa Cruz, which in my opinion is the best neighbourhood to stay in Seville, if nothing else the most “andaluz“! Read below for our tips on accommodation in the area.
