In Granada, it pays to look into side streets. On one such alley off busy Carrera del Darro is a…read more17th century building built in the mudejar style, the Casa de Los Pisa, which houses the Archivo Museo San Juan de Dios.
For three euro, a guided tour is provided. The nature and layout of the museum does not allow independent exploration, but that shouldn't be seen as a drawback.
The museum contains centuries of objects related directly or indirectly to San Juan de Dios, who was born in Portugal and ended his life in Granada, in the very house that the museum is in. He was a nurse and was canonized for his work in healthcare, particularly mental health, and there are numerous health care institutions associated with him.
It is from these sometimes far flung places on five continents that the museum's eclectic collection of artifacts originate, and it is unsurprising that many have no particular relation to each other or even to San Juan. Many of the artifacts are donations and while most are interesting on their own, they often don't form a cohesive story; even the guide acknowledged that the museum doesn't know much about some of them. Among the objects, of various media and forms, are ornate walking sticks, gold and silver threaded clothing, carved ivory or wood, centuries old paintings, and metal work. There are works from Africa, Asia, South America, and more.
The tour greatly helped with putting the objects on display in some context. Besides numerous religious objects, there is also a beautiful series of paintings of streets and places in Granada associated with San Juan de Dios, painted by a Granadian artist. The museum's prized exhibits are San Juan de Dios' only personal belongings (a careworn basket and walking stick) and the room he passed away in.
Our guide provided the tour in English. Of course available in Spanish. A worthwhile way to spend some time in Granada.