A medical collection that ranges from fascinating to deeply unsettling. Founded by the Vrolik family — father and son anatomists who spent much of the 18th and 19th centuries assembling a vast collection of preserved human and animal specimens — the museum is now part of the Amsterdam University Medical Center.
The collection focuses on congenital abnormalities: preserved foetuses, deformed skeletons, and anatomical preparations that document the full range of developmental variation. It is not for the squeamish, but it is presented with scientific rigour and genuine respect. For anyone interested in the history of medicine, anatomy, or the cabinet of curiosities tradition, Museum Vrolik is extraordinary. Located in the AMC hospital building in Amsterdam-Zuidoost. Free admission; check opening hours in advance as they are limited.