It is located in Largo Rainha D. Leonor, in the parish of Nossa Senhora do Pópulo, city and municipality of Caldas da Rainha, District of Leiria, Central Portugal
The Rainha D. Leonor Thermal Hospital is considered the oldest operating thermal hospital in the world.
The history of the thermal hospital is linked to the history of the town where, according to legend, when en route from Óbidos to Batalha, in 1484, Queen D. Leonor (1481-1525), wife of João II of Portugal (1481-1495), and her entourage, passed by a place where several people were bathing in hot, strong-smelling waters. The queen asked them why they did so, since the habit of bathing was unusual at the time, and was told that they were sick and that those waters had healing powers. As the queen also had an illness, she also bathed in those waters and was cured and in the following year (1485) she ordered the construction of a hospital in that place for all those who wanted to be treated there.
The sovereign granted a charter to the town that was formed around it, with around 30 residents at the time, granting the benefits of exemption from jugada (an old tax that falls on farmed land), eighths, siza and tolls, which also extended to merchants who came from abroad to buy or sell.
The hospital completed around 1488 was named Nossa Senhora do Pópulo because it was intended to serve the people, initially designed as a hospital chapel with two interior windows that connected it to the infirmary and which ended up being converted into a Parish Church.
During the reign of João III of Portugal (1521-1557), the Obidense architect Onofre de Carvalho worked here between approximately 1538 and 1547.
The history of the thermal hospital is linked to the history of the town where, according to legend, when en route from Óbidos to Batalha, in 1484, Queen D. Leonor (1481-1525), wife of João II of Portugal (1481-1495), and her entourage, passed by a place where several people were bathing in hot, strong-smelling waters. The queen asked them why they did so, since the habit of bathing was unusual at the time, and was told that they were sick and that those waters had healing powers. As the queen also had an illness, she also bathed in those waters and was cured and in the following year (1485) she ordered the construction of a hospital in that place for all those who wanted to be treated there.
The sovereign granted a charter to the town that was formed around it, with around 30 residents at the time, granting the benefits of exemption from jugada (an old tax that falls on farmed land), eighths, siza and tolls, which also extended to merchants who came from abroad to buy or sell.
The hospital completed around 1488 was named Nossa Senhora do Pópulo because it was intended to serve the people, initially designed as a hospital chapel with two interior windows that connected it to the infirmary and which ended up being converted into a Parish Church.
During the reign of João III of Portugal (1521-1557), the Obidense architect Onofre de Carvalho worked here between approximately 1538 and 1547.
The Reconstruction of the Rainha D. Leonor Thermal Hospital (Largo Rainha D. Leonor, Caldas da Rainha)
The hospital underwent an extensive reconstruction campaign between 1747 and 1750 under the patronage of D. João V and D. Maria Ana of Austria. During this phase, several buildings were demolished, such as the original Town Hall and Jail, swimming pools were created and the "buvete" (a type of fountain) was installed, two floors in the main building and the facade was changed, acquiring the Johannine style then in vogue.
During this period, a Royal Palace was built to house the Royal Family (behind the Hospital), and the group of three fountains, including the Chafariz das Cinco Bicas and the Church of Nossa Senhora do Pópulo, were all that remained of the original hospital.
During the reign of José I of Portugal, the Marquis of Pombal determined the reform of the Thermal Hospital Regiment (1775), the annual opening date became May 15th, which is why it is believed to be the city's day celebrated on that date.
At the end of the century, the administration of Rodrigo Maria Berquó (1888-1896) stood out, who ordered the construction of another floor to accommodate infirmaries, the construction of the Park pavilions created to receive inpatient areas of the hospital unit, and the restructuring of Mata Rainha D. Leonor and Parque D. Carlos I.
In 2002, it was proposed to classify the Caldas da Rainha thermal complex as a national monument: the thermal hospital, the new spa (formerly Casa da Convalescença), the church of Nossa Senhora do Pópulo (national monument), the Hospital and Caldas Museum (formerly Casa Real), the Rainha D. Leonor forest and the D. Carlos I park (which includes the Park Pavilions and the José Malhoa Museum, a property of public interest).
On March 13, 1985, he was recognized as an Honorary Member of the Order of Merit, which aims to distinguish meritorious services in favor of the community.
During this period, a Royal Palace was built to house the Royal Family (behind the Hospital), and the group of three fountains, including the Chafariz das Cinco Bicas and the Church of Nossa Senhora do Pópulo, were all that remained of the original hospital.
During the reign of José I of Portugal, the Marquis of Pombal determined the reform of the Thermal Hospital Regiment (1775), the annual opening date became May 15th, which is why it is believed to be the city's day celebrated on that date.
At the end of the century, the administration of Rodrigo Maria Berquó (1888-1896) stood out, who ordered the construction of another floor to accommodate infirmaries, the construction of the Park pavilions created to receive inpatient areas of the hospital unit, and the restructuring of Mata Rainha D. Leonor and Parque D. Carlos I.
In 2002, it was proposed to classify the Caldas da Rainha thermal complex as a national monument: the thermal hospital, the new spa (formerly Casa da Convalescença), the church of Nossa Senhora do Pópulo (national monument), the Hospital and Caldas Museum (formerly Casa Real), the Rainha D. Leonor forest and the D. Carlos I park (which includes the Park Pavilions and the José Malhoa Museum, a property of public interest).
On March 13, 1985, he was recognized as an Honorary Member of the Order of Merit, which aims to distinguish meritorious services in favor of the community.
