The Museo di Storia della Medicina is a specialist museum at Sapienza Università di Roma in Rome, with collections tracing medical knowledge from prehistory to modern biotechnology. Its permanent exhibition spans three floors, and admission is free; plan ahead because advance reservations are required.
- Location: Viale dell’Università 34/a, 00185 Roma
- Typical opening pattern: Open Monday to Friday; closed Saturday and Sunday
- Admission: Free; guided visits are free by appointment
- Getting there: Bus 492 or about a 20-minute walk from Roma Tiburtina station
What does the Museo di Storia della Medicina cover?
The Museo di Storia della Medicina follows Western medical thought from antiquity to modern medical biotechnology, using objects, scientific and medical instruments, and reconstructed settings across three floors. Its collections document the development of medical knowledge and practice from prehistory to the genomic revolution.
Founded in 1938 by Adalberto Pazzini, the museum moved to its current Sapienza premises, inaugurated in 1954. The Evan Gorga collection, acquired in 1947, is its principal collection.
A learning route on surgery compares Roman, early-modern, and 19th- and 20th-century instruments. It also considers the development of surgery and anesthesia, along with related bioethical questions. Guided learning routes on surgery, ancient and modern diseases, and neuroscience and genetics last two hours.
Where is the museum?
The museum is part of Sapienza Università di Roma’s Polo museale and is located at Viale dell’Università 34/a, 00185 Roma. Use that address when planning your route to the university area.
If you’re adding another nearby point of interest to your day, the Basilica of Saint Lawrence outside the Walls has its own history and visitor guide.
How do you plan a visit?
Plan around a reservation and check the opening schedule before setting out. Sapienza and Turismo Roma give weekday opening hours ranging from 9:00 to 18:00, with the precise schedule varying between their published schedules.
Opening hours
- Monday to Friday: 9:00–18:00
- Saturday and Sunday: closed
Last checked November 2026. Hours can change on holidays and for special events.
Advance reservation is required, with online booking forms available. You can also reserve the first available time slot on site using the QR code at the museum entrance. Admission and guided visits by appointment are free. Audio guides and museum CD-ROMs are available.
For a guided visit or booking questions, contact the museum by telephone at 06 4991 4766 or email museo.stomed@uniroma1.it. Check the official site before you go.
How do you get to the museum from the Tiburtina area?
From Tiburtina Holiday, a guest house in Rome, the museum is about a 26-minute walk or a 7-minute drive. From Roma Tiburtina station, take bus 492 or walk approximately 20 minutes.
The museum area is served by buses 71, 140, 141, 310, 492, and 649, and trams 3 and 19. From the Policlinico stop on Metro line B, take tram 3 or 19, or walk approximately 10 minutes.
For a wider look at local connections, read how to get around Rome by metro from the Tiburtina area.
FAQs
Is the Museo di Storia della Medicina free?
Yes. Admission is free, and guided visits are free by appointment.
Do you need to reserve a visit?
Yes. Advance reservation is required, and the first available time slot can also be reserved at the entrance using its QR code.
When is the museum open?
Open Monday to Friday; closed Saturday and Sunday. Check the official site before you go.