How can historic hospital buildings that no longer serve their original purpose be given a new lease of life? From 1 to 3 October 2026, Wrocław will host the annual symposium of the German Society for the History of Hospitals, co-organised by Wroclaw Medical University.
This year’s symposium of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Krankenhausgeschichte (German Society for the History of Hospitals) will be held under the theme ‘Demolishing, Recycling, Conversion? Adapting Historic Hospitals to New Functions’. The event will explore the future of historic hospital architecture and ways in which former hospital buildings can be adapted for new, non-medical uses. DGKG Wroclaw 2026 official
Former hospitals in Wrocław will feature prominently in the programme. Participants will explore both the history of these buildings and the ways in which they are used today. The programme will also feature examples of the adaptive reuse of historic hospitals in Austria and Germany. DGKG Wroclaw 2026 official
Speakers will include representatives of Wroclaw Medical University. Dr Kamila Uzarczyk will discuss the development of Wrocław’s medical complex, while Wioletta Samborska will present the Medical Discovery Centre project.
The programme includes lectures and discussions, as well as tours of Wrocław’s historic hospital buildings, including the Wroclaw Medical University campus. Some of the sessions will take place in the historic lecture hall of the former Women’s Diseases Clinic at 3 Chałubińskiego Street. DGKG Wroclaw 2026 official
The symposium is organised by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Krankenhausgeschichte, the Foundation for the Protection of Silesian Industrial Heritage, the Department of Medical Humanities and Social Sciences in Medicine and the Medical Discovery Centre at Wroclaw Medical University, as well as a representative of the University of Warsaw. DGKG Wroclaw 2026 official
Participation in the academic programme is free of charge. The conference fee stated in the programme applies only to participants taking part in the accompanying activities, such as guided tours of the city, the conference dinner and lunches.
Registration: info@dgkg.de or via the registration form provided in the programme.
Conference language: English.
1 October 2026, 3.00 pm – 3 October 2026, 2.00 pm
Wrocław – Museum of Pharmacy and the Wroclaw Medical University campus
Medical Discovery Centre and Department of Medical Humanities and Social Sciences in Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University