Anatomical Museum of the University of Basel

Offbeat university museum exhibiting a wide range of human organs, tissue specimens & skeletons.

The Anatomical Museum of the University of Basel was founded by Prof. Carl Gustav Jung in 1824. Original preparations of human body parts, organs and tissue are displayed in the museum. They are shown in a systematic and topographic order and describe the structure of the human body. Exhibits of prenatal development are also shown. Special exhibitions explain specific areas of anatomy in a way, which is understandable for all visitors. The museum houses contemporary exhibits as well as numerous historically valuable preparations, which were restored using modern techniques and are now shown in new displays. Of particular interest is the skeleton, which was prepared by Andreas Vesale in 1543 in Basel. It is known as the oldest anatomical preparation of a skeleton in the world. Also of interest is a preparation made in 1573 by Felix Platter, wax models made in 1850 by Carl Gustav Jung and body cross-sections (slices) made in 1900 by Hanson Kelly Corning.