Anatomieturm Jena, Medieval tower at Teichgraben intersection, Jena, Germany.
The Anatomieturm Jena is a round stone tower with a solid, windowless base section and remnants of an octagonal upper level featuring tall windows. The interior was arranged with wooden viewing benches and a central work table to accommodate instruction before groups of students.
The tower was built in the 13th century as part of Jena's city defenses, serving initially as a southwestern fortification point. It was later converted into a teaching facility for medical instruction and became part of the city's education history.
The tower served as a teaching space where students watched dissections from elevated viewing positions around a central work table. This method of instruction represented a new approach to sharing medical knowledge between instructors and learners.
The tower is located at the intersection of Teichgraben and Leutragraben streets in the old town and is easily accessible on foot. Following restoration work in 2016, the exterior can be viewed at any time, and information about interior access can be obtained from local sources.
The naturalist Johann Wolfgang Goethe used the tower for his anatomical research, examining jawbones from human embryos and elephants. His work demonstrated his wide-ranging interest in scientific subjects beyond his literary career.
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