Originally founded in 1517 when there were no effective treatments for 'the malady of Venus' (syphylis), a special hospital was needed for the incurables.
Two high relief sculptures decorating the north wall, depict Christ at the column where he was whipped by Roman soldiers; his torment perhaps serving to arouse compassion for those suffering chronic disease. In the 1560s an oval church was built in the courtyard, but later demolished in 1819. All that remains of the former courtyard are four well-heads representing the original layout.
Today the building houses the Academy of Fine Arts.
