Apple store built on 15th century ruins
You might find more than the iPads and iPhones in the basement of Apple's flagship store in Madrid, Spain. It appears the tech giant's new retail location was built on a 15th century hospital.
According to the Spanish news website El Pais, the outer walls of the Buen Suceso hospital was found during the renovation of a 6,000-square meter building -- formerly the Paris Hotel. Built next to a church of the same name, the hospital was thought to have been demolished in 1854, but it appears that part of the structure has remained in place.
The church was discovered during the construction of a light rail station in 2009, the news site reports. It later became part of the station -- preserved behind glass partitions in the mezzanine.The hospital was discovered about a month ago. Originally named San Andres hospital, the medical facility was built to treat plague victims.
Jaime Ignacio Munoz, director of Madrid's heritage department, told El Pais that there were plans to install glass panels on the floor to view the remains of the church, but there was a lack of visual interest because only be the structure's foundation could be seen.
Munoz recommended the tech giant build around the hospital's foundation and "symbolically" trace an outline of its walls, the news site reports. He also suggested that Apple install an information panel to explain the reason for the path on the floor.
It's currently unclear if the basement of the planned Apple Store will be viewable by the public, or used as a stock room. But the ruins will remain protected underneath the retail chain.
The Apple Store in Madrid does not have an opening date yet.
