Westfort Hospital

Pretoria, South Africa, South Africa

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Westfort Hospital in Pretoria, South Africa, was originally established in 1897 as a leprosy hospital, becoming the primary institution for treating leprosy patients after the closure of the Robben Island leprosy asylum in 1931.

It evolved into a large, specialized medical complex with separate sections for patients of different races and genders, including accommodation, medical wards, and community facilities like a post office, police station, churches, and schools, operating almost like an independent village.

The hospital expanded over the early 20th century, with buildings designed under the guidance of architect Sytze Wierda, reflecting Dutch Protestant institutional architecture. Leprosy treatment advances led to a decline in patient numbers, and the hospital finally closed in 1997. Since then, the site has transformed into a vibrant multi-racial community, surrounded by suburban development, preserving its legacy as a significant cultural and medical heritage site in South Africa.