Health is a central topic in the history of mankind. It is a multifaceted interplay of medical, social and governmental challenges: from education, the development and organization of healthcare facilities and research to dramatic incidents such as pandemics. The exhibition in the State Hall invites visitors to immerse themselves in the development of healthcare from antiquity to the early 20th century, with a special focus on Vienna. It also explores the tension between academic medicine and naturopathy in antiquity and the Middle Ages.
The Austrian National Library opens up its unique collection on the history of medicine, highlighting the achievements and disruptions of past eras. One of the highlights is the famous Tacuinum sanitatis, a house book on healthy living written around 1400, which offers an extraordinary insight into the understanding of health in the Middle Ages with its magnificent illustrations. The exhibition is complemented by the extensive estate of Gerard van Swieten, Maria Theresa's personal physician, whose work bears witness to scientific innovation and social progress.
November 20, 2025 to March 1, 2026
www.onb.ac.at
