Right in the heart of the city of Lleida, very close to the University of Lleida rectorate is the current Lleida Xanascat hostel and student residence, housed in a building that has been used for different purposes over time.

History

It was opened as a hospital on 30 June 1959, although it was only used for that purpose for two months. In fact, shortly thereafter, the dictator Francisco Franco, the civil governor of Lleida Alberto Fernández Galar and the president of the Lleida Provincial Council Víctor Hellín Sol opened it as a high school to house male students. The fact is that in the 1960s, rural areas did not yet have high schools or vocational training schools. Thus, the Lleida Xanascat housed young men from the province who were preparing to study at the university. 

This clearly entailed a huge educational and social shift. And given that more and more young men wanted to study at the university, the high school was turned into a university residence. It was only for male students until 1986, when women were welcomed, too. 

From then on, once the Lleida Provincial Council allowed the Government of Catalonia to use it, Lleida Xanascat hostel is traditional purpose as a student residence expanded to become a youth hostel, too.

Architecture

This is an urban building initially designed to serve as a hospital. It has an area almost 4,000 m2 large and six floors. The façade has neoclassical touches, although this style is not visible because modular plastic panels were installed to modernise it and protect it from the sun when it became a hostel. 
The two columns barely visible at the entrance reveal the façade's original style. Over the year, the structure has been renovated several times to adapt the facilities to the ever-changing needs of the students who stay there.