Pathological-anatomical collection in the Narrenturm

Museum · Alsergrund

Pathological-anatomical collection in the Narrenturm

Museum · Alsergrund

1

Spitalgasse 2, 1090 Wien, Austria

Photos

Pathological-anatomical collection in the Narrenturm by null
Pathological-anatomical collection in the Narrenturm by gingercinnamon (Atlas Obscura User)
Pathological-anatomical collection in the Narrenturm by ATLAS_OBSCURA
Pathological-anatomical collection in the Narrenturm by JOE KLAMAR/AFP via Getty Images
Pathological-anatomical collection in the Narrenturm by gingercinnamon (Atlas Obscura User)
Pathological-anatomical collection in the Narrenturm by ATLAS_OBSCURA
Pathological-anatomical collection in the Narrenturm by gingercinnamon (Atlas Obscura User)
Pathological-anatomical collection in the Narrenturm by ATLAS_OBSCURA
Pathological-anatomical collection in the Narrenturm by null
Pathological-anatomical collection in the Narrenturm by null
Pathological-anatomical collection in the Narrenturm by null
Pathological-anatomical collection in the Narrenturm by null
Pathological-anatomical collection in the Narrenturm by null
Pathological-anatomical collection in the Narrenturm by null
Pathological-anatomical collection in the Narrenturm by null
Pathological-anatomical collection in the Narrenturm by null
Pathological-anatomical collection in the Narrenturm by null
Pathological-anatomical collection in the Narrenturm by null
Pathological-anatomical collection in the Narrenturm by null
Pathological-anatomical collection in the Narrenturm by null
Pathological-anatomical collection in the Narrenturm by null
Pathological-anatomical collection in the Narrenturm by null
Pathological-anatomical collection in the Narrenturm by null
Pathological-anatomical collection in the Narrenturm by null
Pathological-anatomical collection in the Narrenturm by null
Pathological-anatomical collection in the Narrenturm by null
Pathological-anatomical collection in the Narrenturm by null

Highlights

Anatomical museum with pathology specimens in historic asylum  

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Spitalgasse 2, 1090 Wien, Austria Get directions

nhm-wien.ac.at
@nhmwien

Information

Static Map

Spitalgasse 2, 1090 Wien, Austria Get directions

+43 1 52177606
nhm-wien.ac.at
@nhmwien
𝕏
@nhm_wien

Features

restroom
wheelchair accessible entrance
wheelchair accessible restroom

Last updated

Oct 10, 2025

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18 Places To See Uncanny Specimens of Wax Anatomy

"Meaning “Fools’ Tower,” the Narrenturm was one of the first insane asylums ever built. Today the Narrenturm no longer holds mentally imbalanced Viennese, but it does contain something else of interest: The Anatomical-Pathological Museum. While the circular building (known by locals as “the poundcake”) houses only a small percent of the museum’s total collection, it contains some fascinating pieces. Syphilitic skulls that resemble Swiss cheese, jars of disfigured fetuses, and graphic wax displays of untreated STDs all peer out at you from the old cells. It also contains a recreated wonder cabinet, complete with a narwhal tusk and taxidermied monkeys. Keep your eyes open for the Hydrocephalic skeleton, towards the end of the museum. His enormous head is hard to miss. Update August 2017: The building is undergoing a major renovation and much of the collection has been moved into storage. Update 2021: The Narrenturm is open to visitors." - ATLAS_OBSCURA

https://www.atlasobscura.com/lists/18-places-to-see-uncanny-specimens-of-wax-anatomy
View Postcard for Pathologisch-anatomische Sammlung im Narrenturm

Shaun Majoor

Google
Macarbe and extremely fascinating at the same time. If you find medical curiosities and all manner of strange specimens interesting then I'd recommend going. The round building and small display areas help add to the intensity and somberness of the exhibits. It is quite surreal, causing one to ponder the human condition, health and the medical profession. No photos allowed. I'd advise not eating just before going...

Elizabeth Dee

Google
Narrentum ("Tower of fools") - this anatomical museum is in the ex lunatic asylum. A collection of specimens and pathological findings for medical research and advancement. Tickets are valid for anytime that day, and the staff were welcoming. You wander at own pace, through various rooms, with good interpretive information throughout. No children under 14, and no photography for obvious reasons. I found this place fascinating.

Natalia Hnatiuk

Google
Dr. Nicky Morgenroth-Mann organised a tour for the students from Manus Massage School! We where all impressed with what we have learned there! Will come there again. Gives you a deeper understanding about human body!

Max Zinner

Google
Great and very special museum. Can highly recommend to anyone interested in medicine and the human body. Well described through the accompanying text but I still believe a guided tour would be the cherry on the cake even though I didn’t do one

Igor

Google
the place is really good, the arrangement of the specimens is a bit weird but overall the rooms are really good looking and they are made with some sense, overall it was a really good experience and you can get university student discount if you have the student is

Luke Griffiths

Google
Staff are nice and polite, the infornation is very informative. My parter is the less squemish one and wanted to go, took a while for me to get my apitite back. Don't go unless well prepped to see every possible body part in every possible state, you will see diseases faces, and they are hard to unsee...

Caitlin Madley

Google
Wow what a wonderful surprise. We are staying in the area and came across this museum on Google maps. We are so happy that we did. We spent time in each room, marveling at the specimens. Definitely worth a visit. 10/10!

Jules

Google
Incredibly fascinating collection. You can literally see everything from the inside… Great descriptions and historical anecdotes. And the building itself with its rich past!