Semmelweis Orvostörténeti Múzeum

About the museum

The Semmelweis Orvostörténeti Múzeum (Semmelweis Museum of Medical History) is a member institution of the Magyar Nemzeti Múzeum (Hungarian National Museum). It opened in 1965 in one of the surviving houses of the Tabán, in Apród utca in Buda. The building is the so-called Meindl-ház (Meindl House): Semmelweis Ignác was born here in 1818; his father had rented the right-hand wing of the building in 1806 and opened a general store in it. The birthplace, marked with a commemorative plaque in 1906, survived the clearance of the Tabán, but the Second World War half-destroyed it. It was restored between 1962 and 1964, and the destroyed upper floor was rebuilt as a museum exhibition space, clearly distinguishable from the original.

In the courtyard, in the side wall, Semmelweis’s ashes rest; they were transferred there from the Kerepesi Cemetery at that time. Borsos Miklós’s sculpture Anyaság (Motherhood) recalls the work of the famous obstetrician. In addition to material on the life and work of Semmelweis Ignác, the museum presents the history of Western medicine from ancient Egypt to the latest times, with special emphasis on the past of Hungarian medicine.

The exhibition follows the development of medical knowledge and the changes in surgical and obstetric techniques through medical instruments, scientific books, documents, and paintings and sculptures depicting disease and healing. The museum also includes the Arany Sas Patikamúzeum (Golden Eagle Pharmacy Museum) in the Buda Castle, the Semmelweis Orvostörténeti Könyvtár és Adattár (Semmelweis Medical History Library and Documentation Centre) on Török utca, and the Ernyey József Gyógyszerészettörténeti Könyvtár (Ernyey József Pharmacy History Library) on Mátyás tér.

Highlights

• Birthplace and memorial room of Semmelweis Ignác
• The history of medicine from ancient Egypt to the present day
• Medical instruments, books and documents
• Resting place of Semmelweis’s ashes in the courtyard
• Borsos Miklós’s sculpture Anyaság (Motherhood)

Permanent exhibition

• Képek a gyógyítás múltjából – The history of Western medicine from ancient Egypt to the present day, with medical instruments, books and the memorial room of Semmelweis Ignác.

Founded

1965

Operated by

Magyar Nemzeti Múzeum

Admission & discounts

Free admission: On the first Sunday of every month, under-26s and up to two close relatives accompanying a child under 18 (Hungarian and EEA citizens) may visit free of charge; on national holidays (15 March, 20 August, 23 October) the exhibitions can be visited free of charge.

Prices of the permanent exhibition; the temporary exhibition requires a separate ticket.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Because of the building’s characteristics, the permanent exhibition is not step-free accessible. Live animals may only be brought in if they are assistance dogs for persons with disabilities.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

MOL Bubi station at Döbrentei tér and at Clark Ádám tér.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The reading room of the Semmelweis Orvostörténeti Könyvtár (Semmelweis Medical History Library) can be rented for scientific events and book presentations.

Plan your visit