Virchow Bibliothek May 2026

The Virchow-Bibliothek (Virchow Library) refers to the extensive personal book collection of the renowned German pathologist and social medicine pioneer, Rudolf Virchow. After his death, this collection—comprising over 12,000 items—was donated to the Berliner Medizinische Gesellschaft (Berlin Medical Society).

Parts of Virchow's original collection and related medical archives are now integrated into major Berlin institutions:

The Evacuation (1944): To protect the books from Allied bombing, the library was moved to Schloss Boitzenburg in Brandenburg. virchow bibliothek

2. Historical Medical Atlases

Before CT scans and MRIs, physicians relied on hand-illustrated atlases. The Virchow Bibliothek boasts one of Europe's finest collections of anatomische Tafeln (anatomical plates). These include works by Andreas Vesalius (De humani corporis fabrica) and Bernhard Siegfried Albinus. These books are not just scientific documents; they are works of art, showcasing the intersection of medical precision and Baroque draftsmanship.

The Virchow-Bibliothek (Virchow Library) refers to the personal and professional book collection of Rudolf Virchow (1821–1902), the pioneering German physician often called the "father of modern pathology." Historical Background These include works by Andreas Vesalius ( De

Named in honor of Rudolf Virchow (1821–1902)—the "Pope of Medicine," a pioneer of cellular pathology, public health reformer, and anthropologist—this library represents the fusion of historical reverence and cutting-edge scientific inquiry. For students, clinicians, and historians alike, the Virchow Bibliothek offers an unparalleled journey through the written legacy of medicine.

Registration and Membership

Access to the reading room is free for everyone. However, borrowing privileges require a library card. and historians alike

The Virchow Bibliothek boasts an impressive collection of over 1.5 million volumes, including: