Rijksmuseum Boerhaave

Lange Sint Agnietstraat 10
2312 WC LEIDEN

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Discover five centuries of natural science and medicine in the Boerhaave Museum.

Named after legendary university instructor Herman Boerhaave (1668-1738) who made the University of Leiden one of the most famous ones in Europe. It is situated in the former St. Caecilia Hospital, which is a museum in and of itself. The collections comprise five centuries of natural and medical sciences, focusing on the practice of these sciences in the Netherlands. Some highlights are Leeuwenhoek's microscopes, the oldest pendulum clock made by Christiaan Huygens as well as the ultra-deepfreeze equipment of Kamerlingh Onnes and the prototype of the electrocardiogram. Visitors can also conduct science experiments themselves or operate models of old instruments. The anatomical museum is quite spectacular with its sensational exhibit of human and animal skeletons.