Anatomisches Museum Basel
University museum with historical and modern specimens of the human body, including a skeleton prepared in 1543, and wax models.
No sound? Check your device’s silent switch.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Anatomical Museum goes back to an anatomical collection that Karl Gustav Jung established in 1824 for medical teaching at the University of Basel. It was first housed in the Unteres Collegium on Rheinsprung, later distributed among several institutes, and was only reunited in the Anatomical Institute building opened in 1921. At first the display collection was open to the public only on Sundays; an extension from 1994 gave the museum more space in the former dissecting room of the old building.
Because of its early founding date, the museum holds an extensive collection of historical specimens, some of which belonged to the university long before the collection was founded. Among the treasures are a skeleton prepared by Andreas Vesalius in 1543, regarded as the oldest surviving anatomical specimen, and a skeleton contributed in 1573 by the city physician Felix Platter. A large collection of wax models dates from the founding period.
Today the museum is part of the Faculty of Medicine. It mainly shows original specimens of body regions, organs and tissues arranged systematically and topographically, as well as prenatal human development and prostheses and implants that illustrate the progress of medical technology. Temporary exhibitions explain individual fields of anatomy and related sciences in a way that is accessible to a broad public.
Highlights
- Skeleton of 1543, prepared by Andreas Vesalius
- Original specimens and wax models of the human body
- Presentation of prenatal human development
- Prostheses and implants as a look at medical technology
- One ticket is also valid at the Pharmacy Museum
Permanent exhibition
- Dauerausstellung zur Anatomie des Menschen – Original specimens, wax models and modern specimens show the structure of the body, prenatal development, and prostheses and implants.
- Founded
- 1824
- Operated by
- Universität Basel (Medizinische Fakultät)
- Director
- Dr. Henriette Franz
Admission & discounts
| Adults | CHF 10 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | CHF 7Apprentices up to age 19, students up to age 25, KulturLegi, recipients of disability insurance (IV) |
| Children & teens | CHF 7free up to age 11 · Children up to and including age 11 have free admission; apprentices up to age 19 pay CHF 7. |
| Visitors with disabilities | CHF 7companion free · Recipients of disability insurance (IV) pay the reduced price; companions of people with disabilities have free admission. |
| Students & apprentices | CHF 7Students up to age 25; students of the University of Basel have free admission; from age 26 the regular price applies. |
| Groups (10+ people) | CHF 7 per personGroups of 10 or more (aged 18 and over) CHF 7 per person; groups of up to 9 people pay CHF 10, or CHF 7 when booking a guided tour at the same time. School classes CHF 7 per person, public schools from Basel-Stadt and Basel-Landschaft a flat CHF 30. |
| Combination ticket with the Pharmacy Museum of the University of Basel | CHF 10The ticket is also valid at the Pharmacy Museum on the same day and the next opening day. |
25 percent reduction with the BaselCard. Free admission applies, among others, to holders of the Swiss Museum Pass, Museums-PASS-Musées, Colour Key, VMS and ICOM, press and Basel museum staff ID, teachers, children up to age 16 with a Swiss Museum Pass or Raiffeisen card, and refugees (permit N, F, B or S).
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: no information
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
According to the Museen Basel portal, a wheelchair is available.
Kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 11 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
The workshop “Verdauungsreise” (“Digestive Journey”) is aimed at groups, classes and families with children from age 8 (1.5 hours, CHF 150 per group of up to 15 people, by registration).
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Tram 11 to “St. Johanns-Tor”, bus 30/33 to “Kinderspital UKBB” or bus 31/36/38 to “Metzerstrasse”.
Amenities & 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 | Tours by arrangement only (standard tour CHF 180; surcharge CHF 50 in the evening from 5 pm or on Sundays, CHF 200 on Saturdays; state school classes up to 25 people CHF 80). Workshops for school classes and groups by advance booking, for example “Knochenarbeit” (“Bone Work”, from age 12), “Blutgefässkonservierung” (“Blood Vessel Preservation”, from age 14) and “Anatomie bewegt” (“Anatomy in Motion”, from age 10), each 1.5 hours, CHF 150 per group of up to 15 people. |
