Frederiks Hospital

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Frederiks Hospital
Frederiks Hospital
The hospital, likely in 1752 or shortly thereafter.
The hospital, likely in 1752 or shortly thereafter.
Frederiks Hospital, approximately 1900
Frederiks Hospital, approximately 1900
Recent photo of the old maternity house in Amaliegade, architect Lauritz de Thurah
Recent photo of the old maternity house in Amaliegade, architect Lauritz de Thurah

The royal Frederiks Hospital was Denmark's first hospital in the present-day meaning of the word. It was founded by king Frederik V and financed by the earnings from the Norwegian Postal Service.[1]

The buildings, situated in Bredgade in Copenhagen and currently housing the Danish Museum of Decorative Art, were, along with the rest of Frederiksstad, designed by Nicolai Eigtved and Lauritz de Thurah and built in 1752-1757. It opened on March 31, 1757 on the birthday of Frederick V.

The hospital was run as an independent institution with the purpose of giving free care and cure to patients without means. About two thirds of the patients were treated free of charge. Seat of Fødsels- og Pleiestiftelsen (period unknown).[2]

Until 1848 Frederiks Hospital was managed by the Danish Chancellory, from 1848 to 1871 by the Ministry of Justice and from there on by the Ministry of Church and Education.

In 1910 the hospital was closed down as Rigshospitalet was founded.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Johannessen, Finn Erhard 1997, Alltid underveis. Postverkets historie gjennom 350 år, bd. 1. Oslo. (also used here)
  2. ^ http://www.rigshospitalet.dk/menu/OM+RIGSHOSPITALET/250+aars+historie/Historiske+boeger+i+version/, access 27 May 2008

Coordinates: 55°41′12″N, 12°35′33″E