the anatomy museum in naples surveys both normal anatomy and anatomic pathologies

following 30 years of closure, the anatomy museum in naples, italy reopened in 2016. due to the earthquake that hit the italian city in 1980, the museum closed its doors to the public. celebrating the marvels of human form, both inside and out, the historic anatomy museum surveys everything from human curiosities to medical marvels and some dark italian history.

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first opened at the end of the 18th century, the anatomy museum naples features sections dedicated to both normal anatomy and to anatomic pathologies. the first one includes the type of material you would find in a biology class while the latter has visitors faced with all kinds of deformities caused by birth defects and diseases. this section is not for the faint of heart as malformed foetuses, cyclopic heads and faces destroyed by illnesses are one show, all preserved in formaldehyde or alcohol.

elsewhere petrifactions recall the work of efisio marini, a scientist who devised a particular method of mummification of organic parts without ever secreting his secret; the calcinations of giuseppe albini as an alternative to the burial of corpses during epidemics. they include a preserved bust of a woman and the body of a newborn child

the anatomy museum naples also houses ancient roman medical tools, the skulls of victims of the mount vesuvius eruption and anatomic sculptures made from wax. overall, the museum is a site where art, history and education converge, and where visitors can learn about different processes like cremation and fossilization, as well as the evolution of medical equipment and the modernization of hospitals.

for those interested in visiting, the anatomy museum in naples is free but requires you to book a visit beforehand on their website. an app is also available for download, featuring audioguides and texts that will help in the deeper understanding of what visitors will be seeing.