The Weird and the Wonderful at Museum Boerhaave, Leiden

Curious minds will find much fascination at Museum Boerhaave in Leiden, The Netherlands. This is a museum that brings together the history of cosmology, physics, medicine, physiology and botany in a single building. Its main collection is dubbed one of the most important scientific and medical history collections in the world and the museum was even awarded a place in The Times’ 50 Best Museums around the globe.

Situated in a sort of back alleyway in Lange Sint Agnietenstraat, Leiden, you’d expect the museum to be rather small and compact. In fact, this is a museum large enough to get lost in. And in addition to the permanent historical exhibition comprising the gist of Museum Boerhaave, there are currently two other exhibitions – ‘Amazing Models’ and ‘100 Years of Inventions by Philips Research’ on display.

Museum Boerhaave Permanent Exhibition

Let me start by saying that the building itself is a former hospital and in the 1700s Herman Boerhaave gave medical lessons to students who came from all over the world for his expertise. It was only in 1931 that the building became a museum. The building’s history in the field of medicine is important in understanding its current purpose.

Explore fascinating objects from different fields beginning in the 16^th century with the world’s oldest herbarium (for holding herbs and plant cuttings) as well as some other weird and wonderful artifacts.

Then observe 17^th century artifacts from the Dutch Golden Age such as microscopes, pendulum clocks and planetariums – all depicting exploration and geographical discovery of the time.

The 18^th century exhibits bring about science-focussed displays from the laboratories of highly regarded Dutch scientists.

Next, the 19^th century displays show anatomical models made from papier-mâché; the accurate use of this substance in modeling is mindboggling and a tad bit creepy.

The 20^th century exhibits demonstrate to visitors the second Dutch Golden Age in terms of science and innovation. During this time, Leiden University held an important role in the field of physics and many scholars from all over the world came to pursue their studies in Leiden. In fact, even Albert Einstein visited Leiden in 1921 and donated a special fountain pen he used during his work on the theory of relativity. This pen is on display at Museum Boerhaave.

100 Years of Inventions by Philips Research | 100 Jaar Uitvindingen 

Within Museum Boerhaave you can also view the 100 Years of Inventions exhibition by Philips, the well-known Dutch technology company founded in Eindhoven, The Netherlands by Gerard Philips.

This is an interactive exhibition taking you back in time to the very conception of the company and the very first innovations put into production. Depending on your age, you’ll be able to find familiarity with the design of old TV sets, radios, tape players and a whole host of other electronic devices.

Plus, you’ll also find interactive screens which determine the type of researcher you are – I did the interactive test was told I’m a dreamer: “Dreamers look at a problem from various angles, they have a large imagination, are creative and want to improve things.”

Amazing Models Exhibition at Museum Boerhaave

The Amazing Models Exhibition on display until the 1^st of June 2014 ties in quite nicely with the medical and scientific themes that run throughout the museum. Here you’ll get to explore anatomical models throughout the decades.

Not only are these models a source of fascination, they also depict the important development in terms of the materials and manner in which medical practitioners would use to study the human body.

Practical Information

Museum Boerhaave is ten minutes walk from Leiden Central Station at Lange St. Agnietenstraat number 10. The museum is closed on Mondays but open on Tuesdays – Sundays from 10am – 5pm. For more information on admission fees take a look at the Museum Boerhaave website here.