Spitalkirche, Kronach

The Bürgerspital in the Upper Franconian town of Kronach is a social institution that probably originated towards the end of the 14th century. It originally served as a hostel for destitute transients and, from the 15th century, to accommodate and care for old and sick citizens who could not provide for their own maintenance. In the 19th century, the city's first hospital was built right next to the hospital and the associated Roman Catholic hospital church of St. Anne. In the mid-20th century, the hospital was closed and its buildings were annexed to the Bürgerspital, which continued to serve as a senior citizens' residential and nursing home until the spring of 2014. The buildings of the Bürgerspital, which is owned by the Spitalstiftung der Stadt Kronach, are mostly listed buildings.