Josephinum - Medical History Museum Vienna

Vienna

The Josephinum is the historic gateway to Viennese medicine and a platform for contact and dialogue with and between the public and decision-makers. As such it is an unmistakable icon. It was founded as an academy of military surgery by Emperor Joseph II in 1785. It was part of his radical reforms and was intended for the academic training of military physicians and especially of surgeons. Designed by Isidore Canevale, the building is an outstanding monument of the Enlightenment. It houses the internationally significant and unique historical collections of the Medical University of Vienna, presenting them over two levels. Important holdings, such as the anatomical wax models from 1785, items relating to Joseph II, the history of the Josephinum as an example of radical Enlightenment ideals, the First and Second Viennese Medical Schools with reference to modern high-tech medicine, as well as the history of the Viennese Medical Faculty from 1938 to 1945, are shown in a permanent exhibition with its priorities set according to contemporary concerns.

To the digitised objects in Kulturpool

Introducing

The Josephinum - Museum of Medical History Vienna

The Josephinum, historical gateway to the Medical University, houses unique collections on the history and ethics of medicine – including the world-renowned anatomical wax models and archival holdings. One highlight is the extensive collection of portraits, which documents the legacy of the Viennese Medical School from the 18th to the 20th century with medical and cultural-historical images.