!!!Bürgerspitäler

Buergerspitaeler (Citizens´ hospitals), developed from medieval 
hospitals organized on monastic principles. Usually erected outside 
the town walls, these medieval hospitals provided accommodation, food 
and medical care for old and poor people; from the 14%%sup th/%  
century onwards, an increasing number of hospitals were founded as 
charities by wealthy citizens. They only accommodated persons enjoying 
citizens´ rights (and their relatives). The citizens´ 
hospital of Vienna was founded shortly before 1257 and was situated 
opposite the Kaerntnertor on the River Wien. In the course of the 
16%%sup th/%  century citizens´ hospitals were founded in 
several towns in Lower Austria: St. Poelten, Wiener Neustadt, 
Stockerau, Drosendorf (1550), Gmuend (1560). This type of medieval 
hospital was the forerunner of modern hospitals, poor-houses and 
orphanages.


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