Anatomical Museum Basel

Nestled within the anatomical wing of the University of Basel lies a hidden museum filled with medical specimens. it is one of the oldest museums to focus specifically on human anatomy.

The museum was established in 1824 under Professor Carl Gustav Jung, who wanted to create a museum that laid bare the secrets of the human body. Since it was built as a teaching tool for the training of future medical professionals, the setup of the museum is rather unique, with its specimens placed in categories and healthy and sick variants displayed together.

One of the most interesting items in the museum’s collection is a skeleton prepared by the anatomist and physician Andreas Vesalius, who is often regarded as the father of modern anatomy. He prepared the skeleton in 1543, making it one of the oldest anatomical specimens in the world.

In recent years, the museum has made an effort to be more accessible to the public, with exhibitions and explanatory text around its key items.