Tucked into the narrow lanes of the old Santa Cruz quarter, the Hospital de los Venerables is one of the finest baroque buildings in Seville. Behind its plain front lies a beautiful sunken courtyard and a richly painted church. The building was raised in the late 17th century as a home for elderly and infirm priests, the venerable men who give it its name. It served this charitable purpose for many years. Its central courtyard is unusual, with a sunken round basin at the centre, designed so that water could be reached more easily on the low-lying ground. Orange trees and arches frame the space. The church is the great treasure of the building, its walls and ceilings covered with paintings. Much of this work was carried out by the artist Juan de Valdes Leal and his son. The sacristy ceiling, with its bold scheme drawing the eye upward, is admired as a masterpiece of painted illusion. It seems to open the roof to the heavens above. For a long period the building fell into decline, but in recent times it was carefully restored by a cultural foundation. It now serves as a centre for art and music. The foundation made the building the home of a centre devoted to the great Sevillian painter Diego Velazquez, who was born in the city. Works connected with him have been shown here. Concerts of early music are held in the church, whose rich decoration makes a fitting setting for the sound. The building has become a lively part of the city's cultural life. Visitors can wander the courtyard, climb the stairs and enter the church to admire the paintings at close hand. Guided routes explain the history and the art. Its quiet position, away from the main streets, gives it a peaceful air, a hidden gem found by those who explore the old quarter. Many come upon it almost by chance. The mix of baroque architecture, fine painting and music makes it one of the most rewarding stops in this part of Seville. It repays the effort of seeking it out. It stands on a small square in the heart of the Santa Cruz quarter, close to the cathedral and the old royal palace.

Type: Tourist Attraction

Address: Plaza de los Venerables 8, Seville, Spain, 41004