The 18th-century asylum for orphans and unexposed children

The Hospicio de Santa Florentina stands on the corner of Santa Teresa and San Nicolás streets in Murcia. Originally established in 1715 by Bishop Luis de Belluga as one of his pious foundations, it was planned to house between 300 and 400 people. The foundation was a multi-department establishment featuring a house for orphan girls managed by the Servite sisters, a house for orphan boys, and a house for orphans who were not exposed. While the works on the current building began in 1741 after the demolition of the city wall and the old Santa Florentina gate, the institution has preserved its original intended use since its inception.

The architecture of the building is believed to be the work of the Murcian architect Martín Solera, who was also involved in the construction of the Old College of Theologians of San Isidoro and the Church of San Juan de Dios. The building features three stone portals on Santa Teresa street. Two of these, located at the ends, are topped with niches containing stone sculptures of Saint Florentina and Saint Joseph, along with various coats of arms. The central door between them is simpler and lacks a niche or coats of arms.

The site has undergone several restoration phases to preserve its structure. Between 1989 and 1990, the roofs and cornices were replaced. A comprehensive rehabilitation took place between 1992 and 1994, followed by facade repairs on San Nicolás street in 2004 and 2005. The final rehabilitation was completed in 2007. Since 1872, the Daughters of Charity were in charge of the site until 1985, when it became a Social Services Auxiliary Home for children aged 0 to 6.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons