St. Bartholomew’s Hospital—better known as Barts—is the oldest hospital in Britain and one of the oldest in all of Europe. Founded in 1123 by Rahere, a courtier of King Henry I, it has operated on the same site in the City of London for over 900 years, surviving monarchs, wars, plagues, and even attempts to close it.
A Hospital That Nearly Disappeared
Barts, in the neighbourhood of Farrindgon and Clerkenwell has faced closure multiple times, including during Henry VIII’s Dissolution of the Monasteries in the 1530s and again in the 20th century. But the hospital was refounded in 1546 and, in 2023, marked its 900th anniversary—a rare milestone in European medical history. Today, it continues to function as a leading modern medical center.
Who Was St. Bartholomew?
St. Bartholomew was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus. According to tradition, Rahere had a vision of the saint during a pilgrimage to Rome, where he was instructed to found a priory and hospital in London to serve the poor and sick. That vision laid the foundation for centuries of care at Barts.
The Oldest Part of the Hospital
Although most of the 12th-century priory and hospital no longer survive, visitors can still see the medieval church of St. Bartholomew the Great, which once formed part of the priory. Inside the hospital, the oldest surviving section is the North Wing, built in the early 1700s by James Gibbs. This wing includes the Great Hall and the famous Hogarth Staircase, decorated with biblical-themed paintings. You can visit The Great Hall at a Candlelight concerts where thousands of candles illuminate stunning musical tributes.
7 November 2026 19:00 + more dates
The Great Hall – Barts North Wing
4 December 2026 19:00 + more dates
The Great Hall – Barts North Wing
Is St. Bartholomew’s Hospital Haunted?
Barts has become famous for ghost stories passed down by staff and patients:
- The Coffin Lift: An elevator where a nurse was allegedly killed by a disturbed patient. Staff claim her ghost still interferes with the lift, trapping people in the basement before letting them go.
- The Grey Lady: A nurse who supposedly took her own life after a tragic mistake. She is said to appear silently, shaking her head in disapproval.
- Other Spirits: Stories include a nurse who comforts dying patients with tea, a crying boy searching for his parents—seen as an omen of death—and even a modern apparition that walks through walls.
The Great Hall: A Hidden Gem
The Great Hall was once the hub of the hospital’s fundraising and governance. Its ornate stucco ceiling by Jean Baptiste St Michele, the restored 17th-century ‘Charter Window’, and the Hogarth Staircase with its biblical-themed paintings remain highlights of the hospital’s architecture and art. Today, conservation efforts supported by the National Heritage Lottery Fund ensure that these treasures can be shared with visitors through tours and events, keeping the spirit of philanthropy and care alive.
