{"id":7985,"date":"2025-01-19T21:45:19","date_gmt":"2025-01-19T21:45:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/discoverpuerto.es\/lugar\/hospitalito-de-la-ampuyenta\/"},"modified":"2026-01-16T19:45:53","modified_gmt":"2026-01-16T19:45:53","slug":"hospitalito-de-la-ampuyenta","status":"publish","type":"place","link":"https:\/\/discoverpuerto.es\/en\/places\/hospitalito-de-la-ampuyenta\/","title":{"rendered":"Hospitalito de La Ampuyenta"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Hospitalito de La Ampuyenta<\/strong>, whose official name is Hospital de Caridad de San Conrado y San Gaspar<\/strong>, is one of the most unique historical buildings in the interior of Fuerteventura. It is located on the right side of the FV-20<\/strong> road, which connects Casillas del \u00c1ngel<\/strong> with Antigua<\/strong>, very close to the church of San Pedro de Alc\u00e1ntara<\/strong>, forming together with it and the House of Doctor Mena a valuable heritage site. <\/p>\n

Origin and historical context<\/h3>\n

This building is closely linked to the figure of Doctor Tom\u00e1s Antonio de San Pedro Mena Mesa<\/strong>, popularly known as Doctor Mena<\/strong>, physician and surgeon born in La Ampuyenta in 1802<\/strong>. After an outstanding professional career in Cuba and France, and after practicing medicine altruistically in Fuerteventura, Doctor Mena left in his will an important inheritance -25,000 pesetas-<\/strong>destined to the construction of a hospital in his hometown, with the aim of improving the precarious sanitary conditions of the island. <\/p>\n

However, despite sufficient funding, the project suffered continuous delays. The works did not begin until 1901<\/strong> and lasted for decades between stoppages, administrative problems and a notable lack of institutional interest. In 1929<\/strong> the building was still not finished and it was the Cabildo of Fuerteventura<\/strong> who assumed the responsibility of continuing the works. Even so, the hospital never fulfilled the function for which it was conceived. <\/p>\n

Architecture of the hospital<\/h3>\n

The Hospital de San Conrado y San Gaspar presents an unusual architecture on the island for its time. The complex consists of three pavilions<\/strong>, linked together by corridors<\/strong> that connect to a central core, a functional and innovative solution in the island context. <\/p>\n

The building has:<\/p>\n

    \n
  • Gable roofs<\/strong>, covered with flat tiles.<\/li>\n
  • Dark stonework<\/strong> in the corners, characteristic of the traditional architecture of Majorca.<\/li>\n
  • A layout designed for ventilation, natural lighting and separation of spaces, following the most advanced hospital models for its time.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Subsequent uses and restoration<\/h3>\n

    Throughout the twentieth century, the hospitalito had different uses different from its original function. In 1931<\/strong> it was used as a coeducational school<\/strong>, and later it passed into the hands of the Church, which used it as a religious retreat house<\/strong>. <\/p>\n

    Between 2011 and 2014<\/strong>, the building underwent a comprehensive restoration promoted by the Cabildo of Fuerteventura, respecting its historical and architectural value. Since 2015<\/strong>, part of the building houses the Interpretation Center of the Hermitages of Fuerteventura<\/strong>, an exhibition space dedicated to the religious heritage of the island, with temporary exhibitions and informative content. <\/p>\n

    A heritage complex of great value<\/h3>\n

    The Hospitalito de La Ampuyenta is included within the protected environment of the Historical Monument of the church of San Pedro de Alc\u00e1ntara<\/strong>, forming a heritage complex of great historical and cultural coherence together with the House Museum Doctor Mena<\/strong> and the House of Fray Andresito<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

    A symbol of vocation and memory<\/h3>\n

    Although it never functioned as a hospital, the Hospitalito de La Ampuyenta is a powerful symbol of the social and human commitment of Doctor Mena and of a time marked by health difficulties and scarcity of resources in Fuerteventura. Today, converted into a cultural space, it allows visitors to understand an essential part of the medical, social and architectural history of the island, and reflect on the projects that, although unfinished, left a deep mark on the collective memory of Fuerteventura. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    The Hospitalito de La Ampuyenta, whose official name is Hospital de Caridad de San Conrado y San Gaspar, is one of the most unique historical buildings in the interior of Fuerteventura. It is located on the right side of the FV-20 road, which connects Casillas del \u00c1ngel with Antigua, very close to the church of 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