RSU Anatomy Museum – exploring the human body
The Anatomy Museum at Riga Stradiņš University is an unusual museum with a historical collection and a modern approach. The museum is based on Latvia’s first anatomical teaching collection, which was established in the anatomy theatre in the 1920s and 1930s and has been used for over a hundred years to educate future doctors.
At the museum, visitors can gain an insight into what anatomists and surgeons see on a daily basis, and learn about the structure of the human body, its organ systems, development and anatomical variations. The exhibition features real skeletons, bones, embryos, body parts and organs, complemented by multimedia explanations.
The museum’s exhibition covers an area of approximately 300 m² and is spread over two floors. On the ground floor, visitors can learn about the human organ systems and anatomy, as well as view the craniological collection. The basement houses collections on embryology, congenital anomalies and the open collection.
Offering for school groups
The RSU Anatomy Museum offers school groups educational tours, practical sessions and free teaching materials for learning about human anatomy.
During the tour, led by a student guide specially trained from RSU’s healthcare programme, pupils learn about the structure of the human body, the organ systems and the basic principles of their functioning. During the tour, it is also possible to discuss issues relating to health and medical professions.
- Intended for pupils from Year 8 onwards;
- tour duration – 45 minutes;
- number of participants – up to 26 pupils;
- tour price – 25 EUR per group;
- museum admission tickets must be purchased separately;
- advance booking is required.
Further information: offer for schools.
Group bookings: anatomijas.muzejs@rsu.lv, telephone +371 26129464.
Individual and family visits
The museum can also be visited individually or with the family. An individual tour of the exhibition takes approximately one hour. During your visit, you can use the ‘RSU Museum’ mobile app, which highlights 20 interesting museum exhibits in an interactive way.
The museum’s target audience is visitors aged 14 and over. Younger children are welcome at the museum; however, please bear in mind that the exhibition features real organs, body parts, embryos and pathological anatomical specimens. Children under the age of 14 are advised to visit the museum only when accompanied by an adult.
The collections of embryology and congenital anomalies housed in the basement may be emotionally distressing for some visitors. Each visitor can decide for themselves whether they wish to view this part of the exhibition.
Guided tours
In addition to the school tour, the museum also offers a guided tour entitled ‘The History of the Museum and the Anatomical Collections’, during which visitors can learn about the history of the collections, the museum’s legends and the most interesting anatomical specimens. This tour is more suitable for adults.
- Duration of the tour – 45 minutes;
- tour in Latvian – 25 EUR for a group of up to 20 people, in addition to admission tickets;
- tour in English – 35 EUR for a group of up to 20 people, plus admission tickets;
- advance booking is required.
Admission prices
- Adults – 5 EUR;
- students and pensioners – 3.50 EUR;
- schoolchildren – 2 EUR;
- families: 1 adult and 1–4 children – 7 EUR;
- families: 2 adults and 1–4 children – 12 EUR;
- pre-school children – free of charge;
- RSU students and staff, on presentation of a valid ID – free of charge;
- on Thursdays from 18.00 – free admission.
Admission is free for group leaders or teachers if the group comprises at least 10 visitors.
Find out more about who else is eligible for free admission on the museum’s website.
Group bookings
Groups
of more than 10 people must book their visit in advance. Guided tours also require advance booking.
- Email: anatomijas.muzejs@rsu.lv
- Telephone: +371 26129464
Access
- The museum is situated within the Anatomical Theatre complex, next to Kronvalda Park. The entrance to the museum is through the gates on Kronvalda Boulevard.
- The museum is accessible to people with mobility impairments. There are no steps at the entrance, the building has a lift, and the museum is accessible by car.
Before your visit, we recommend checking the museum’s website for current opening hours and prices.
Photo from the Anatomy Museum’s archives