Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Seeking Private, Curious, Arcane and Overlooked Scandinavian Museums, Collections, Sights and Curiosities


Greetings folks.

I am in the midst of planning a trip to Scandinavia around the upcoming Congress for the European Association of Museums for the History of Medical Sciences on the theme of ‘Contemporary medical science and technology as a challenge to museums' to be held at Medical Museion in Copenhangen, September 16-18.

More on that conference--at which I will be delivering a paper--soon (though the impatient among you can see the full line up here); for now, I mention it only as an excuse for soliciting suggestions from Morbid Anatomy readers regarding private, curious, arcane, and overlooked museums, collections, sights and curiosities that one shouldn't miss in this part of the world, of which I know frightfully little.

Any suggestions very much appreciated! Suggesters can leave comments on this post or email me at morbidanatomy@gmail.com.

Thanks so much!

Image: The Biologiska Museet, Stockholm--which is very much on my list!--from Picasa user Traci Brandon.

6 comments:

Erik said...

If you are in Stockholm, and can make an appointment to visit The Hagströmer Medico-Historical Library, I would recommend it very much. They have a very impressive collection of historical medical book. Not open to the public, though.

Web site: http://130.237.125.15/

Emily said...

My friend recently pointed me to a list of strange museums (the website classifies them as "horrifying" but I find them all to be quite wonderful!) Anyway, one such museum on the list is the Phallological Museum in Iceland, which seems quite...amusing! The following link has the entire list of museums (I believe the Phallological Museum ranks at #2 and is on the second page along with some photos) :

http://www.cracked.com/article_18686_the-7-most-horrifying-museums-earth.html

Unknown said...

The Biologiska Museet is shockingly beautiful and quietly terrifying. I hope you enjoy it! Be sure to snoop around because some of the rooms -- those depicting under-sea life -- are tricky to find.

If you find yourself in Iceland, which sounds unlikely, the national museum has an impressive collection from the settlement period.

Marieke said...

If you are willing to travel to the Baltic states, do visit the old anatomical theatre and collections in Tartu, Estonia. Tartu can be reached easily from Stockholm by ferry+train/bus or plane. Website: http://www.ajaloomuuseum.ut.ee//777123

Lynda said...

I would recommend the small history of medicine museum at the great copper mine in Falun, Sweden. It really captures the effects of mining on the health of the people of the town. And do go down the mine on a tour.

Anonymous said...

http://www.gustavianum.uu.se/en/
In Uppsala, just north of stockholm, across from the cathedral, there's a nice museum which also houses a great anatomical theater.