Santa Fe de Mexico (pueblo hospital)

Santa Fe de Mexico

Location	Santa Fé, delegación of Álvaro Obregón, Mexico City
Address
Region
State
Country	Mexico
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Funding
Website	[ Official website]

Santa Fé de México was a Pueblo Hospital founded by Vasco de Quiroga in 1532. Its ruins are located in the town of Santa Fé in the delegación of Álvaro Obregón in western Mexico City.

Origins

In 1530, Vasco de Quiroga, a missionary priest and confessor to the Spanish king, arrived in the capital of New Spain. He witnessed the neglect and suffering of the indigenous people, particularly the Mexica, who were left orphaned and widowed. Inspired by the book Utopia by Thomas More, Quiroga organized a hospital to provide protection, culture, health, and religion to the indigenous population. The hospital was located on a hill known as "Flor de Caña," half a league west of Mexico City.

Construction of the Pueblo-Hospital of Santa Fe began in 1532. The town was formally established by Viceroy Antonio de Mendoza in 1537. The hospital complex included medical services, a community kitchen, living quarters for religious individuals, and separate houses for the indigenous population. The town also had buildings dedicated to teaching the new Christian faith to the indigenous people.

The Pueblo-Hospital of Santa Fe played a significant role in providing care and support to the indigenous population during the colonial period in Mexico. Today, its ruins serve as a reminder of this important historical institution.