Moulagenmuseum

About the museum

The Zurich moulages go back to the Dermatological Clinic: in 1916 Bruno Bloch was brought to Zurich as its first professor, and he wanted the lifelike cast wax models as teaching aids. In 1918 Lotte Volger came from Germany, having learned the technique in Berlin, and built up the collection. In the clinic building completed in 1924, the moulages were kept close to the lecture hall. Between 1919 and 1927 around 500 surgical moulages were also made, a collection otherwise found only in Paris.

With colour slides and television broadcasting, the wax models lost importance from the 1960s onwards and were put in the cellar. When an order was issued in 1972 to melt them down, the moulage maker Elsbeth Stoiber did not carry it out. An exhibition in 1979 initiated their rediscovery, and in 1984 the surgical pieces were rescued as well. The collection was later re-established in rooms of the University Hospital; a catalogue was published in 1993 with the opening of the museum room.

Today the museum shows about 600 of the more than 2,000 moulages and continues to serve as a teaching collection for medical students. The production technique was passed on in 1998 to Michael Geiges, who still makes new moulages today.

Highlights

• Around 600 life-size wax moulages of skin conditions and surgical conditions
• Free admission
• Surgical moulages, a rarity alongside Paris
• Virtual tour and "Streiflichter" (spotlights) on individual objects on the website
• Guided tours for groups of up to 20 people

Permanent exhibition

• Dauerausstellung Moulagen – Around 600 wax moulages made in Zurich show the most important skin diseases as well as historically significant and rare conditions, complemented by short texts for lay visitors.

Founded

1993

Operated by

Universität Zürich

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Free admission. Private guided tours for up to 20 people: CHF 120.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• 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

The museum is wheelchair accessible; use the rear entrance.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

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