Colentina Hospital, one of the most important medical institutions in Bucharest and Romania as a whole, has its origins in the second half of the 19th century, at a time when the capital was undergoing a period of rapid modernization. The initiative to build a new medical facility came from Prince Scarlat Ghica, who aimed to provide the city with a modern hospital capable of meeting the growing needs of its population.

The beginnings of an ambitious medical project: “New Pantelimon”

For this project, a plot of nearly 9 hectares was allocated along the road connecting Podul Mogoșoaiei to Podul Târgului de Afară—an area now known as Calea Moșilor. The site was strategically chosen for its accessibility to residents from various neighborhoods of the city. The land was donated by Prince Grigore Ghica, reflecting the Ghica family’s ongoing support for the development of healthcare in the capital.

Construction plans were entrusted to architect M. Hartl, and the new hospital was named “New Pantelimon,” a title intended to connect the medical tradition of the old Pantelimon Hospital with a modern project adapted to the needs of the time. However, implementing the project was not without difficulties.

Initial obstacles and resumption of construction

Construction began cautiously in 1858, but problems quickly arose regarding the quality of materials and workmanship. An official report in 1861 noted that the building completed so far did not meet the required standards, and it was decided to demolish it and restart construction from scratch.

In 1862, work resumed with stricter oversight. Initially, a single pavilion was built, with plans to expand the hospital gradually. By the end of 1863, the building was operational, and on January 24, 1864—a day of great historical significance for Romanians, marking five years since the Union of the Principalities—the hospital was officially inaugurated.

The event took place in the presence of Prince Alexandru Ioan Cuza, who symbolically linked his modernization efforts for the country with the establishment of an essential medical institution in the capital.

The hospital inauguration and early medical services

At the time of its opening, “New Pantelimon” had 50 beds and offered both hospitalization services and free medical consultations—a crucial aspect in an era when access to medical care was difficult for most of the population.

The hospital already combined medical care with social support, and the first auxiliary buildings constructed after the central pavilion were intended for housing doctors and support staff. From its early years, the institution became part of a broader network of Bucharest hospitals, mentioned alongside Colțea, Filantropia, and Pantelimon. Thus, “New Pantelimon” became a component of the medical infrastructure that was gradually taking shape in the capital.

Expansion in the second half of the 19th century

In the following years, the hospital saw steady development. By 1876, its capacity had increased to 180 beds, and medical activity had expanded considerably. The number of patients was constantly growing, with records showing that over 4,500 free consultations were provided in a single year.

To meet increasing demand, new pavilions and specialized buildings were constructed. Housing for assistant doctors, barracks for contagious patients, facilities for treating venereal diseases, and a pavilion for baths and disinfection were added—a crucial measure to combat epidemics, which were a constant threat at the time.

In 1892, the hospital was among the first in Bucharest to implement its own sewage system, significantly improving sanitary conditions.

Support from rulers and the royal family

Colentina Hospital’s rapid development would not have been possible without consistent financial support. Prince Alexandru Ioan Cuza contributed a significant donation of 2,000 gold coins—a substantial sum at the time—toward continuing construction.

Later, Prince Carol I, the future King of Romania, visited the hospital in 1866, praising the bath facilities and the landscaped garden. These visits and donations reflected the recognition of the hospital’s importance within the national healthcare system.

Colentina Hospital and the rise of neurology

A defining moment in the hospital’s history came in 1897 with the appointment of the renowned physician Gheorghe Marinescu as chief doctor. Considered the father of Romanian neurology and one of Europe’s leading specialists of the time, Marinescu transformed Colentina into a reference center for neurological research and treatment.

Under his leadership, a true school of neurological medicine emerged, recognized internationally. In 1919, the Clinic of Nervous Diseases was relocated to Colentina, enhancing its prestige. This nucleus of medical excellence continued to operate in the following decades, making notable contributions to the advancement of medicine.

Transformations in the 20th century

In the first half of the 20th century, Colentina Hospital diversified its activities to meet new healthcare challenges. After World War I, patient numbers increased, and hospital infrastructure had to expand further.

In the latter half of the century, the hospital also became a center for medical training and education. Numerous doctors were trained there, and research conducted at Colentina impacted fields such as occupational medicine, hematology, renal and hepatic morphophysiopathology.

Prestigious institutions operated within the complex, including the N. Ghe. Lupu Institute of Medicine and the Matei Balș Institute for Infectious Diseases. Colentina also became a landmark in Romanian surgery, with contributions from renowned professors such as Constantin Dumitrescu Severeanu and Iancu Jianu, who brought innovations in plastic and reconstructive surgery recognized internationally.

The hospital as a symbol of medical excellence

Over the decades, Colentina Hospital has maintained its status as an elite institution. Its role extended beyond patient care to include scientific research and the training of new generations of physicians. The Colentina School of Medicine contributed to the development of specialists who would gain recognition not only in Romania but also in leading medical centers across Europe and the world.

Moreover, the hospital became a laboratory of innovation, a place where Romanian medicine intersected with global scientific progress. Colentina successfully blended tradition with modernity while maintaining respect for patients and openness to research.

One of Romania’s premier medical institutions

From the first construction attempts in 1858 to its official inauguration in 1864 in the presence of Alexandru Ioan Cuza, Colentina Hospital—originally known as “New Pantelimon”—traveled a long and often challenging path. Its transformations over the decades mirror the evolution of Romania’s entire healthcare system.

Today, more than a century and a half after its founding, Colentina remains a benchmark in Romanian medicine, combining patient care, scientific research, and professional training of new generations of doctors.

The hospital’s legacy is multifaceted: its contributions to public health, its educational role, and its openness to innovation. From the visionary initiative of Scarlat Ghica and Cuza’s generous donation to cutting-edge neurological research, Colentina Hospital has remained true to its mission: serving people and advancing medical progress.