Home for the Poor and Invalid

Johann Theobald Frankh, the sponsor of the hospital on Alsergasse (today’s Alserstrasse) intended for wounded soldiers to receive care at the hospital. In contrast with this original intention, it served more to accommodate and care for soldiers who were unfit to serve and poor people.

In 1697 and 1726 respectively, the first and second courtyards were completed, which correspond to courtyards one and two of the former general hospital (Altes Allgemeine Krankenhaus) today. The second courtyard, once called Ehehof or Witwenhof (marriage or widows’ courtyard), is today known as Thavonahof after its sponsor Freiherr von Thavonat. The hospital was extended again between 1730 and 1752 (Weiß, 1867 and Swittalek, 2012).