For as long as I can remember, I have been a human anatomy buff. And if you remember, not so long ago, I shared a post about me becoming a student again {as well as working full time!} to become an embalmer. So, visiting the Madhouse Tower, also known as Pathologisch-anatomische Sammlung im Narrenturm while visiting Vienna for a few days with my daughter was a must. 

After visiting the Centre of Anatomical Pathology collections, I have to say, it is not for the faint hearted or anyone with a nervous disposition. Formally known as “The Madhouse Tower”, “The Lunatic Tower” & “The Fool’s Tower”. All deriving from its original purpose, as an insane asylum back in 1784. It is a fascinatingly round, stone building, hidden behind the walls and trees of the Old Vienna General Hospital. 

A little Madhouse Tower History

Since 1971, it has housed the world’s largest public collection of anatomical pathology exhibits. Containing 50,000 items! The corridors of this once upon a time home for those, not of sound mind, was fascinating to walk within the walls of. Entering into each doorway, around a corridor, in a circular building, with what I hope was the original brick flooring and very old wooden doors in the floor, was a privilege. And I just know those floor doors have stories! But I guess those might be told in the guided tour, which gives you access to the upper floors of the Pathologisch-anatomische Sammlung im Narrenturm. 

Guided Tours & Entrance fees

The guided tours were something I was not aware of, sadly. Or you just know I would have had it booked, during our visit! But if anyone ever needed an excuse to revisit somewhere, it’s that! This exhibition is a part of the National History Museum, so, you can gain access with your Vienna Pass. If you do not have the Vienna Pass, then the fees to get in are as follows:

• 0-18 go free
• Adult – €12
• Senior – €10
• Students – €7

Testing the boundaries of ethics

Remember me saying this exhibition was not for the faint hearted? There has been much said about the Vienna exhibition testing the boundaries of ethics. And after visiting there in person and being heavily into human anatomy, I found everything about the exhibition to be fascinating. Not grotesque, disrespectful or unethical. It was created to help progress medicine, and to help future doctors and nurses of each generation. 

The Lunatic Tower is filled, quite literally with medical malformations, diseases and a whole array of medical conditions. Such as gangrene, cancer, tumours, rickets, foetuses with anencephaly, facial cross sections, enlarged bodily organs and even foetuses in jars, to name just a few. It also contains old medical journals, all hand written by those in the mid 17th century. Old medical equipment and so much more. If you are into human anatomy or medicine in any way, then this exhibition is the one for you. 

Did the dead give consent?

I am not 100% sure that those who are on display, gave their consent prior to their death. But I am assuming, that family members of the deceased did because they realised the importance of medical advancement. And those who sadly passed on with these conditions are displayed so beautifully and with great interest to those around the globe. 

Donating your body to Science – would you?

And after attending the Body Works exhibition in the Winter Gardens, Blackpool a number of years ago by the amazing German Anatomical Pathologist, Gunther Von Hagus. I am a firm believer in donating your body to science. I mean, if you think about it, how are the doctors of tomorrow meant to learn? 

On the walls of the Anatomical Pathology centre was a statement. A Biology teacher took his class to observe the Pathologisch-anatomische Sammlung im Narrenturm and it was found that the students learned more with “visual learning” than they did from a textbook. Which is something I can very much relate to. I am both a visual and a kinaesthetic learner, myself. And if I was a medical student, then present me with the dark side of medicine to help me be educated in the field, no question. 

Would I recommend the Madhouse Tower?

100%. If you are into medicine or fascinated by human anatomy i.e. malformations, deformations, illnesses, conditions and more. Then this is without a doubt the place for you to visit. It is nothing short of fascinating. And it’s location makes it even more amazing and expands the curiosity of your mind because that building not only holds centuries worth of medical history and human remains. But, those walls have countless stories of their own. And you can really feel that when you walk through it’s doors. 

Obviously, due to discretion and respect, photos and videos are not permitted within the Madhouse Tower. And as much as my curious self wished I could document the amazing things I saw, I had to respect the rules of the museum. There are lockers at the beginning of the exhibition for you to place your bags and phones into. And there is also a gift shop before you leave as well. I bought the most beautiful book of Skulls and stories of the Dead, as well as a few Giant Microbes. Which are one of my favourite things to collect. 

I highly recommend a visit to this museum if you are in Vienna, you will not be disappointed. 

Check out our visit to the Corpus Museum while visiting Holland, here. 

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