Croatia – Sisters of Charity University Hospital Centre, Zagreb

The Sisters of Charity Hospital (KBC Sestre milosrdnice) is one of the oldest hospitals in Southern Europe, founded in 1846 through the initiative of Cardinal Juraj Haulik, the Archbishop of Zagreb. The current campus on Vinogradska Street was developed in 1894 by German architect Kuno Waidmann. The hospital was run by nuns for many decades and has since evolved into a modern clinical centre with 17 clinics, 7 specialized institutes, and over 2,300 staff members. It also serves as an educational facility for medical, dental, and nursing schools.

Murals will be installed on three walls within the Pediatric Department of the Oncology Clinic.

Bulgaria – ISUL “Queen Joanna” University Hospital, Sofia

The University Multiprofile Hospital “Queen Joanna – ISUL” has a rich history dating back to 1927, when it was established as a hospital for insured workers. Construction began in 1934, and it was named in honor of Queen Joanna, who became its symbolic patron. Since the 1950s, ISUL has grown into a key academic and medical institution, offering specialized diagnostics, treatment, and education. It is home to the only pediatric ENT department in Western Bulgaria, where cochlear implants are also performed.

Mural locations at ISUL include: The entrance to the Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Clinic, The entrance to the Pediatric ENT Department, The entrance to the Pediatric Emergency Department, The corridor of the Emergency Unit. Three of these four locations will be used for murals and AR content, with active involvement of hospital staff and patients in assessing the project’s impact.

Portugal – Dona Estefânia Hospital, Lisbon

Founded in 1877 in honor of Queen Stephanie, Dona Estefânia Hospital was the first healthcare facility in Portugal dedicated exclusively to pediatric care. Its design was praised by Florence Nightingale as a model children’s hospital. Today, it is part of the Central Lisbon University Hospital Centre and offers a wide range of national pediatric specialties. By 2027, its services are expected to relocate to a new hospital complex, while the current building will continue to host child-focused care facilities.

Mural locations include: The ENT waiting room, the Immunoallergology waiting room, and the Pediatric Emergency waiting room

Next Steps

The project is currently in the mural preparation phase. This includes wall preparation, mural printing and installation, and the development of AR animations that will create a multi-layered, interactive, and engaging experience. All participating hospitals will conduct surveys to evaluate the impact of these interventions on children, parents, and staff, alongside public promotional activities and dissemination of results.

Through Healing Nature, we aim to bring art to the spaces where it is most needed – where children, families, and healthcare workers face some of life’s most difficult moments. Art, play, and technology become tools for healing, comfort, and connection.

Within the project:

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.

[Project Number: 101173267]

Project is co-financed by the Government Office for Cooperation with NGOs.

Co-funded by the Government Office for Cooperation with NGOs of the Republic of Croatia. The views expressed in this release are the sole responsibility of the Croatian Association of Fine Artists and do not necessarily reflect the stance of the Government Office for Cooperation with NGOs of the Republic of Croatia.