Museo di strumentaria medica
University museum in the 18th-century church of the Maddalena, with medical instruments from the 17th to the 20th century and teaching models, free admission.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Museo di Strumentaria medica is part of the Sienese University Museum System and occupies the 18th-century church of Santa Maria Maddalena, in Via Pier Andrea Mattioli. It displays ancient medical instruments from the 17th to the 20th century, coming largely from the thousand-year-old hospital of Santa Maria della Scala, seat of the Faculty of Medicine, and from the university institutes, and documents the research and teaching activity of the Sienese university in the sciences, in particular in the health sector.
The collections include about 5,600 items of medical instruments, among them 19th-century surgical iron tools, the equipment of country doctors and the first electro-medical apparatus, together with anatomical and physiological teaching models from the second half of the 18th century to the 1960s, made of terracotta, plaster, papier-mâché, wax and resins. To these is added a collection of about 1,160 pieces of scientific glassware from the 19th and 20th centuries.
The museum also keeps a specialist library of more than 5,000 volumes and carries out cataloguing, restoration and documentation work. It offers routes for schools and workshops for people with dementia within the Musei e Alzheimer project.
Highlights
- 18th-century church of Santa Maria Maddalena as the venue
- About 5,600 medical instruments from the 17th to the 20th century
- Anatomical teaching models in wax, plaster and papier-mâché
- Scientific glassware of the 19th and 20th centuries
- Workshops for schools and for people with dementia
Permanent exhibition
- Collezioni di strumentaria medica – Medical instruments and apparatus from the 17th to the 20th century, teaching models and scientific glassware.
- Founded
- 1994
- Operated by
- Università di Siena – Sistema Museale Universitario Senese
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
Free admission; guided visits are charged.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By car
Parking available
Car parks recommended by the museum: Il Campo (Via di Fontanella 13) and Il Duomo (Via del Nuovo Asilo 5).
For public transport the museum refers to the dedicated app of the local transport service.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Guided visits are charged. The museum offers routes for schools (ESCAC project) and workshops for people with dementia within the Musei e Alzheimer project. |
