Adults€11.00
Museum Vrolik houses an extensive collection of anatomical preparations, showcasing the human body, its development, and various conditions. Visitors can explore historical medical insights and the intersection of anatomy and art through its fascinating exhibits.
Discover a unique historical collection of human and animal anatomical preparations, originally assembled for medical education and research.
Museum Vrolik originated from the private collection of 19th-century Anatomy professors Gerard and Willem Vrolik in Amsterdam. It offers a unique deep dive into human and animal anatomy, showcasing normal body structures, congenital abnormalities, and the impact of historical diseases. Now part of Amsterdam UMC, the collection maintains its legacy of scientific education, making complex anatomical knowledge accessible to all.
Museum Vrolik is located at Meibergdreef 15 in Amsterdam, nestled within the Amsterdam UMC neighborhood. This specific placement underscores its origins and ongoing role in scientific education and research, allowing visitors to explore a unique collection of anatomical preparations within a distinguished medical academic environment.
Meibergdreef 15
1105 AZ Amsterdam
Amsterdam UMC, North Holland, NL
Tickets for Museum Vrolik can be purchased on site, with no advance reservation needed. The museum is located in the Amsterdam UMC, AMC in Amsterdam; follow yellow signs for the entrance. Paid parking is available in garage P2. Be aware the exhibition contains human anatomical preparations, which may not be suitable for all audiences.
Museum Vrolik in Amsterdam showcases a distinctive historical collection of human and animal anatomical preparations. Formed by 19th-century Anatomy professors Gerard and Willem Vrolik, the museum offers visitors a unique exploration into the human form and medical science's past. Exhibitions feature normal body structures, congenital abnormalities, and the impact of historical diseases. Now part of Amsterdam UMC, the collection includes animal skeletons and medical illustrations, providing rich context for its enduring scientific and educational value.
The origins of Museum Vrolik trace back to around 1800, when Gerardus and Willem Vrolik, both professors of anatomy, began assembling their distinguished collection of anatomical and medical specimens. This extensive collection was acquired by the Athenaeum Illustre, a forerunner of the University of Amsterdam, in 1869. Following this acquisition, the holdings expanded with notable additions like the 18th-century Hovius collection and the Grevers dental collection. The museum's foundational human anatomical preparations were accumulated over a significant period, spanning approximately from 1750 to 1954. Museum Vrolik was formally established in 1984 at its current location within the Academic Medical Center in Amsterdam, bringing together these historical collections into a dedicated public institution.
Museum Vrolik's new exhibition, 'Imagine – the future of human remains of colonial contexts,' confronts the museum's colonial and racist inheritance. It features empty display cases that once held human remains, serving as a powerful testament to the historical practice of racial collecting. The exhibition aims to foster healing and dialogue by sharing provenance research and collaborating with descendant communities.
After 112 years, Museum Vrolik has successfully returned fifteen ancestral skulls to their community on Yamdena Island in Indonesia. This landmark repatriation, initiated by the Moluccan-Dutch foundation Budaya Kita, underscores the museum's commitment to ethical collection management and sets a precedent for returning human remains from colonial contexts.
Museum Vrolik has launched its official YouTube channel, presenting the new 'Anatomy Stories' series. Led by curator and director Laurens de Rooy, the videos delve into the museum's unique collection, exploring objects, the lives of its founders, and over 300 years of Amsterdam's medical history. Visitors can now experience the museum's captivating narratives from home.
Amsterdam UMC and Museum Vrolik have repatriated a significant collection of ancestral Māori and Moriori human remains to their homeland in New Zealand. This return, including a Māori tattooed head (Toi Moko) and Moriori bones, marks a crucial step in a global program to restore cultural and spiritual connections for indigenous peoples.
The Museum Vrolik photo gallery offers a visual exploration of its unique anatomical and pathological collections. You will see detailed images of human and animal skeletons, preserved specimens in glass cases and jars, and educational displays. These photographs highlight the museum's historical medical context and its focus on scientific understanding in Amsterdam.
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