Have you ever visited the USP Medical School Historical Museum? Few people know, but this is the first museum dedicated to recording Brazil’s medical culture. Created in the 1970s, it houses a rich collection that preserves the memory of medicine in the country. What’s more, just visiting the building is worth the trip: with its Carrara marble staircases and imposing stained glass windows, the architecture is a spectacle in itself.
In other words, if you like little-known museums in São Paulo, this is a perfect destination to include on your list.
Visit the USP Medical School Historical Museum:
The space brings together a varied collection that goes far beyond documents and books: there are paintings, engravings, photographs, films, busts, sculptures, furniture, clothing and even medical devices used between the 19th and 20th centuries. Each item tells a piece of the history of Brazilian medicine and pays homage to the tradition of USP‘s Faculty of Medicine.
Currently on display is the exhibition ‘The Sick Skin’, which presents an impressive collection of wax pieces created by artist Augusto Esteves between the 1930s and 1950s. These models were used to teach medical students how to identify dermatological diseases without the risk of contamination.
Visit this “secret museum”
The USP Medical School Historical Museum is located on Avenida Doutor Arnaldo, 455 – Cerqueira César, on the 4th floor of the school. Access is free and visits take place from Monday to Friday, from 8am to 5pm (except public holidays). If you’re taking public transport, just get off at Clínicas Station on Line 2-Green of the Metro.
If you plan to go with a larger group (more than 10 people), you can book an exclusive guided tour by e-mailing museu.historico@fm.usp.br or calling (11) 3061-7249. A perfect tour for those who want to get away from the obvious in São Paulo and immerse themselves in an essential part of our history.
