Luigi Cattaneo Anatomical Wax Museum, Anatomical wax museum in Bologna, Italy
The Luigi Cattaneo Anatomical Wax Museum in Bologna holds pigmented beeswax models of normal and pathological anatomy made over two centuries by Clemente Susini, Giuseppe Astorri, Cesare Bettini and Leonida Berti. Displays include mummified and dry preparations, specimens in preservative fluid, old microscope slides, and drawings by the modellers themselves.
The Bologna tradition of anatomical wax modeling began in 1742 when Pope Benedict XIV commissioned artist Ercole Lelli to create educational specimens for medical training. This approach later influenced similar museums and teaching methods throughout Europe.
The wax models here were created by skilled artisans working closely with doctors to teach anatomy to students over many decades. This approach shaped how medical education worked before modern textbooks and technology became available.
The museum is located within the University of Bologna and is open to visitors on weekdays. The rooms are climate controlled to protect the wax models and ensure comfortable viewing conditions throughout your visit.
The collection also holds wax models of pathological anatomy from the former "Cesare Taruffi" museum, showing congenital malformations and disease cases. Many are accompanied by the dried preparations from the dissections and by drawings, often by the same wax modellers, documenting how the anatomists worked.
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