Veterinary Anatomy Theater — Attraction in Berlin

Constructed in 1789 by Carl Gotthard Langhans, the same architect behind the Brandenburg Gate, the Tieranatomisches Theater at Humboldt University of Berlin is a beautiful building that witnessed decades of animal dissections.

The establishment of the anatomical theater was directed by King Frederik William II, who thought the horses and cattle of the country needed a veterinary medicine school to study their diseases. The dome was built with an illuminating truss structure to let in light before electricity. Adorning the inside are murals of livestock and rural scenes, while animal heads and skulls decorate the building’s exterior. Use of the theater for animal dissections started in 1790, and the bodies were raised and lowered on a table that moved through the floor.

The building is now Berlin’s oldest surviving academic structure. After an extensive restoration, the Tieranatomisches Theater was reopened to the public in 2012. Now while exhibitions are being held in the space visitors can experience the classicist theater with all its 18th century medical glory, luckily without the...

Animals used to be observed here by professors, today people are observed by the staff. Admission was free but there were a few people rushing around who looked at you questioningly and weren't sure what you actually wanted here. I wanted to see the architecture and it's very interesting. One of those walking around there explained to me that today this is a place for experimental and performative knowledge exhibitions with a...

very nice building. can walk up in the theater it's very pretty for pictures and just admiring the view. museum area is nice too, shows the layout of the buildings and some wildlife in the area. I really enjoyed coming here. completely free to get into but check the hours since it's only open a few days a week for only...