Imagine a room, which is a separate beautiful architectural structure inside another building. This room is an amphitheater, but much smaller. Interesting spectators sat on benches arranged in a circle, and in the center, on a wooden table, an action was going on ... No, this is not a magical ritual, although by its significance, what is happening can probably be equated to it. An opening of the human body takes place in the center of the room, and the interested spectators on the benches are medical students. There were many such educational institutions in the Middle Ages, and these are anatomical theaters.
What is the anatomical theater
So, why and where were such halls built? What are anatomical theaters and do they exist in the present? Let's get it together.
The Anatomical Theater is a special institution that was used at universities to teach students the science of medicine. In the center of the room there was an autopsy of the human or animal body. It is interesting that in this case on the benches next to the audience could sit the real skeletons used as teaching aids. Many students not only watched what was happening before their eyes, but also outlined what they saw and the comments of the teachers. Well, judging by medieval illustrations, some observers were holding posters with inscriptions like Memento Mori, which literally means "Remember death."
Anatomical theaters. History
The first anatomical theater was built in 1594 at the University of Padova. It has survived to the present day. A little later, in 1596, a similar educational institution was opened at Leiden University. In 1637, the anatomical theater appeared in Bologna.
Another historical fact is interesting. In the 19th century, the anatomical theater was opened by a prominent American statesman, author of the Declaration of Independence and part-time third president of the United States, Thomas Jefferson. However, this educational institution did not last long and was destroyed before the start of World War II.
The most beautiful and active so far
What anatomical theaters exist today and are autopsy performed to this day? What world institutions of this kind can rightfully be called the most beautiful?
The anatomical theater in London at the church of St. Thomas is still operating. It was opened in the XIX century, and since the 60s of the last century - after reconstruction - exists as a museum. There is an operating anatomical theater in the Netherlands, in Amsterdam. The picturesque old building was built in the 15th century, and two centuries later a special university building was opened in it. By the way, the inscription Theatrum Anatomicum above the entrance to the building is distinguishable now, but no one conducts an autopsy here. Now in this room are meetings of the scientific community.
One of the most beautiful anatomical theaters preserved to this day is considered Sala Gimbernat in Barcelona (Italy). The walls of the hall are draped with rich purple velvet, in the interior - marble and gilding. An operating table was also made from the same noble white marble, on which autopsies were performed in ancient times. Today, a museum is open here.
Russia: Petersburg, Peter I and the Kunstkamera
In 1698, Peter I visited the Leiden Anatomical Theater. There, the sovereign met Professor Frederick Ruysch, and also took several medical lessons from him. In 1706, the first anatomical theater was opened in Russia, and the famous Dutch professor Nicholas Bidloo was invited to teach in it. It is interesting that Peter I himself was interested in the science of the structure of the human body and repeatedly performed autopsies and dissected corpses with his own hands.
In 1726, the anatomical theater was transferred to the Kunstkamera building. Here, research was still underway , led by professors invited from Germany and the Netherlands. Then the theater was moved to the building of the Academy of Sciences, and by the beginning of the 19th century, this research institution gradually lost its significance.
Kazan Anatomical Theater
However, it was not only in Petersburg that one could study the structure of the human body by observing a demonstration of autopsy. An anatomical theater also existed in the territory of the present Republic of Tatarstan. Kazan and its museum-theater of the human body still open its doors to interested observers, but now no autopsy is performed here. Currently, the building of the former anatomical theater houses a museum belonging to the Department of Normal Anatomy of Kazan State Medical University.
Medical students come here for classes. For them, a library and a cinema are equipped here, as well as a variety of anatomical preparations. Interested tourists can come here, the museum guide will give a lecture for them.
Anatomical theaters in Russia and the world have survived to this day. Many of them work as museums today, some of which have become venues for medical scientific communities. However, the historical value of the anatomical theaters is undeniable, and our task is to preserve them for future generations.