Der Hospital zum Heiligen Geist in Biberach

Der Hospital zum Heiligen Geist in Biberach is a charitable foundation (Stiftung) based in Biberach an der Riß in Upper Swabia, Germany. First mentioned in a document in 1258, it is one of the oldest social institutions in the region. Originally established to shelter pilgrims, travelers, the poor, the sick, people with mental disabilities, and orphans, it has evolved over nearly eight centuries into a modern provider of social services. Today the foundation operates a Bürgerheim (citizens' home) with open lunch for seniors, day care, short-term care, inpatient care, and assisted living; a meeting center and senior office in the Ochsenhauser Hof since 1972; childcare places at the Bürgerheim since 2003 and in the Talfeld district since 2012; forestry management of 1,652 hectares of mixed forest between Ringschnait, Burgrieden, Ahlen, and Muttensweiler, yielding 18,000 to 20,000 solid cubic meters of timber annually; and a portfolio of real estate including the Schützenkeller, Schützenkellerhalle, Klösterle, and Altes Spital. The foundation also supports Meals on Wheels and the traditional Christkindle lowering ceremony on the market square. Governed by a charter from 1978 that emphasizes care and support for people in need, the Hospital remains a public-benefit institution rooted in its medieval origins.

Der Hospital zum Heiligen Geist in Biberach was first mentioned in a document in 1258. Its founders were Truchsess Otto Berchtold von Waldburg, Walter von Warthausen, the Biberach patrician Bertold Hupmann the Elder, and the knights Ulrich and Halwig von Essendorf. The original purpose was to take in pilgrims, traveling people, the poor, the sick, people with mental disabilities, and orphans "for God's sake" and without regard to person or origin. In 1287 Pope Honorius IV took the Hospital under his protection. Initially closely tied to the city, it was legally an independent institution based on a lay brotherhood. In the mid-16th century the Hospital recorded 178 sick and needy persons, the same number of children, and 15 mentally disabled people. The upswing in the 14th and 15th centuries was followed by a creeping decline that continued into the 19th century, caused by financial exploitation by the city beginning in 1540. After the end of the Thirty Years' War, the Hospital was administered jointly by both confessions. Over its eight-hundred-year history, additional activities such as school and hospital construction and the general administration of extensive properties, buildings, forest, and agricultural land were added. The 1978 charter placed the care and support of people in need at the center of the Hospital's activities. Today the foundation operates a Bürgerheim with open lunch for seniors, day care, short-term care, inpatient care, and assisted living; a senior meeting place and office in the Ochsenhauser Hof since 1972; childcare places at the Bürgerheim since 2003 and in Talfeld since 2012; forestry of 1,652 hectares of mixed forest yielding 18,000–20,000 solid cubic meters of timber annually; and real estate including the Schützenkeller, Schützenkellerhalle, Klösterle, and Altes Spital. It also supports Meals on Wheels and the traditional Christkindle lowering on the market square.

• 2012

  Childcare places are offered in the Talfeld district.

• 2003

  Childcare places are offered at the Bürgerheim.

• 1978

  A new charter places care and support of people in need at the center of activities.

• 1972

  The foundation opens a senior meeting place and office in the Ochsenhauser Hof.

• 1648

  After the Thirty Years' War, the Hospital is administered jointly by both confessions.

• 1540

  Beginning of financial exploitation by the city, leading to decline.

• First documentary mention of the Hospital.

• Pope Honorius IV takes the Hospital under his protection.

A historic charitable foundation providing social welfare, senior care, childcare, forestry, and real estate services for the common good in Biberach.

• Bürgerheim senior center

  Offers open lunch for seniors, day care, short-term care, inpatient care, and assisted living.

• Ochsenhauser Hof senior meeting place

  A meeting place for the elderly and a senior office, operated since 1972.

• Kinderkrippen childcare

  Childcare places at the Bürgerheim since 2003 and in Talfeld since 2012.

• Hospitalwald forestry

  1,652 hectares of mixed forest yielding 18,000–20,000 solid cubic meters of timber annually.

• Real estate management

  Properties include Schützenkeller, Schützenkellerhalle, Klösterle, and Altes Spital.

1. 1Startseitehospital-biberach.de
2. 2Der Hospital zum Heiligen Geist in Biberachde.wikipedia.org
3. 3Der Hospital zum Heiligen Geist in Biberachwikidata.org