About
The biggest and most well-known wax anatomical collection in existence.
La Specola, the oldest public museum in Europe, is based in Florence's Museum of Natural History and boasts the largest and most renowned wax anatomical collection. It also acts as a home to some extraordinary taxidermy pieces - from extinct species to a rather alarming-looking hippopotamus. Established by the Medici family, it opened its doors to the public in 1775 with a straight-forward dress code: anyone was welcomed as long as they were clean. The wax models generated great interest among those who visited; noble visitors included Goethe (author of The Sorrows of Young Werther) and Emperor Leopold, who funded part of the museum.
