Exhibit 3.1

                       CERTIFICATE OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
                                       OF
                       VENTAS REALTY, LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

          The undersigned, desiring to form a limited partnership pursuant to
the Delaware revised uniform Limited Partnership Act, 6 Delaware Code, Chapter
17, hereby certifies as follows:

          1. The name of the Limited Partnership is Ventas Realty, Limited
Partnership.

          2. The address of the Limited Partnership's registered office in the
State of Delaware is The Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street, in the
City of Wilmington, County of New Castle. The name of the Limited Partnership's
registered agent for service of process in the State of Delaware at such address
is The Corporation Trust Company.

          3. The name of the general partner is Vencor, Inc., a corporation
formed under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware. The address
of the general partner is 3300 Aegon Center, 400 West Market Street, Louisville,
Kentucky 40202.

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Certificate of
Limited Partnership of Ventas Realty, Limited Partnership this 30th day of
March, 1998.

                                  General Partner:
                                  Vencor, Inc.

                                        By: /s/ W. Suzanne Rowell
                                           --------------------------------
                                           Name:  W. Suzanne Rowell
                                           Title: Authorized Signatory