(Vienna, 14 October 2025) As part of FOTO WIEN 2025, the new special exhibition at the Josephinum presents images of medical buildings in Vienna's 9th district from its beginnings to the present day. Historical and contemporary photographs show how medical progress has shaped hospital architecture.
The Josephinum – founded in 1785 as a medical-surgical academy, now the Medical History Museum of the Medical University of Vienna – celebrates its 240th anniversary on 7 November 2025. To mark the occasion, the new special exhibition is dedicated to the development of Vienna's extensive medical district, which was established by Emperor Joseph II in the late 18th century. The focus is on the Josephinum and the General Hospital – important buildings that reflect medical, social and technological change over the centuries.
The exhibition, under the FOTO WIEN motto "Dynamic Futures", shows the impressive effects of constant progress on hospital architecture – from the classicist ideal to modern functional buildings. Historical photographs and contemporary photographs by Margherita Spiluttini, Stefan Oláh and Reiner Riedler illustrate these transformations and provide insights into everyday life behind the scenes. Special attention is paid to the role of the Josephinum as a surgical training centre, as well as photographs from the Old General Hospital and the "New Clinics" of the AKH, whose architecture set forward-looking standards. "It is fascinating how the photographer's individual perspective tells us a story," says Josephinum Director Christiane Druml, "that shows us much more than just a documentation of a building and its condition. It allows us to delve deep into the medical district that was founded here in Alsergrund by Joseph II."
Throughout November, the Josephinum will be celebrating the 240th anniversary of the opening of the Joseph Academy of Medicine and Surgery. In addition to an international symposium on 5 and 6 November, featuring lectures by Richard Bassett, who has just published a new biography of Maria Theresa, as well as other speakers from Austria, Italy and Germany on the topics of the Enlightenment, medicine, music and the military, the museum will open its doors on 21 November and offer free admission on that day.
Special exhibition Architecture and Medicine – a photographic view of
Alsergrund
Exhibition dates: 22 October 2025 – 28 February 2026
Curators: Christiane Druml, Robert Kotasek, Verena Österreicher
Josephinum – Medical History Museum Vienna
Währinger Straße 25, 1090 Vienna; www.josephinum.ac.at
Opening hours: Wed–Sat, 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Thu, 10 a.m.–8 p.m.
Guided tours: Thursdays at 6.30 p.m., Saturdays at 11 a.m.