Mercy Hospital of Póvoa de Lanhoso

Category: Civil Architecture > Hospital

District: Braga > Póvoa de Lanhoso > Póvoa de Lanhoso

Location:

The building stands in the center of the village, on Rua da Misericórdia, a quiet street that connects Largo António Lopes to Avenida dos Bombeiros Voluntários. The main facade, slightly set back, allows for a calm appreciation of the building before entering.

The surroundings combine low-rise granite buildings, local shops, and small landscaped areas, creating a typical Minho setting that highlights the contrast between the hospital's exterior sobriety and the decorative refinement of the atrium.

Origin and History

The work resulted from the philanthropy of António Ferreira Lopes, an emigrant who returned from Brazil, who financed the construction to improve access to healthcare in his homeland. The hospital opened its doors in 1917 and remained under the management of the Brotherhood of Mercy, ensuring its charitable mission.

The project was designed by architect João Moura Coutinho. In 1957, a renovation kept the main decorative elements intact. The entrance was classified as a Property of Public Interest in 1983.

Architecture and Art

Externally, the building features symmetrical granite facades, with tall windows framed by stonework and a semicircular pediment at the center. The light plaster enhances the reading of the early 20th-century eclectic lines.

Inside, a rectangular vestibule surprises with its ornamental richness: geometric mosaic flooring, a painted ceiling, and walls fully covered with polychrome tiles by master Jorge Colaço.

Atmosphere and Significance

The atrium was designed as a welcoming space: wooden benches invite contemplation of the panels, whose festive tone was intended to cheer up patients and visitors. This concern for well-being anticipates current ideas about the importance of art in healthcare environments.

A visit to the Hospital da Misericórdia reveals the union of philanthropy, architecture, and art, offering a unique testimony to the social and aesthetic values of the early 20th century, still serving the community today.

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt