Hospital del Rey

Hospital del Rey is one of the most striking historic buildings in Melilla la Vieja, the old fortified quarter of this Spanish enclave in North Africa. Today it houses the city's archive service, but its walls still tell the story of the garrison town Melilla once was, and the building forms part of the city's protected historic-artistic ensemble.

Where does the name come from and who built it?

The structure was raised between 1758 and 1774 to a design by Thomas de Warluzel and Juan de Dios González. It's considered a textbook example of the military architecture brought to Spain by Flemish military engineers: thick walls, a plain exterior and a strictly functional layout, built to serve the fortress garrison rather than to impress. From completion until the 1930s the building operated as the Plaza's hospital — the main medical facility for the soldiers and residents of Melilla.

Why did the building stop being a hospital?

In the early 20th century, life in Melilla gradually shifted away from the old hilltop fortress toward Melilla la Nueva, a new district built in a modernist style on flatter ground nearby. As the old town emptied out, the hospital lost its patients and its purpose, and the building stood abandoned for decades.

What can you see inside today?

The turning point came with a thorough restoration carried out between 1990 and 1997 by architect José Ignacio Linazasoro Rodríguez. Since then the building has served as the seat of Melilla's Central Archive and the city's publications service. Inside you'll find records from the Junta de Arbitrios (1879–1927) and the Junta Municipal (1931–1995), alongside two specialised libraries — a local collection dedicated to Melilla's authors and history, and a technical archive library. The graphic holdings are especially valuable: a photographic archive, historical maps and prints documenting the city's past. The building also hosts temporary exhibitions, so it's worth checking what's on display before you visit.

How do you get there?

Hospital del Rey stands at Plaza de la Parada 1, right in the heart of Melilla la Vieja, the old walled town best explored on foot along its narrow streets between the bastions. It sits naturally on any walking route through the fortress district, close to the old town's other landmarks.

When should you plan your visit?

The archive receives visitors Monday to Friday, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., which is worth building into a walking tour of Melilla la Vieja — on weekends the interior is closed, though the building's exterior and surroundings can be admired any day of the week.

Frequently asked questions

Is Hospital del Rey still a working hospital? No. It served as a medical facility from 1774 until the 1930s; today it houses the city's archive and publications service instead.

Who designed the building? It was designed in the 18th century by Thomas de Warluzel and Juan de Dios González, in the style of military architecture introduced to Spain by Flemish engineers.

Is entry to the archive free? It operates as a public institution open during office hours; it's best to check current access rules before visiting, especially if you're hoping to catch a temporary exhibition.

What else is worth seeing nearby? The building sits within Melilla la Vieja, so a single walk can easily combine a visit here with the old fortified quarter's other historic sights.