National Taiwan University Museum of Humanities and Social Sciences - Museum of Medical Humanities Introduction
The Museum of Medical Humanities was originally the campus of the Medical Department of Taihoku Imperial University during the Japanese rule, with the earliest construction starting in 1907, designed by Japanese architect Kondo Juuro. The main structure was completed in 1913. Although it has undergone multiple restorations over the past century, the original appearance of the building is largely preserved. The function of the building has gradually evolved along with the development of the school, serving as classrooms, an administrative center, a hub for medical academic activities in Taiwan, a base for medical education reform, and a place for medical humanities education, until the museum was established in 2008. The exhibitions in the museum are divided into permanent and special exhibitions. The permanent exhibitions include "The Birth of Life," "Where Do Taiwanese People Come From," and "Taiwanese People and Their Struggle Against Illness." Special exhibitions are launched every six months, showcasing the impacts and reflections brought by the development of medicine, and they tour other medical education institutions. The architectural style of the museum belongs to the Late French Renaissance. The main hall, principal walls, and columns are adorned with elegant lines and carvings, creating an impressive atmosphere. The hall and corridors feature many arcades with elegant shapes. The original roof was designed in the Mansard style, covered with slate and copper, with small round windows on the slanted roof. However, in 1930, a fire occurred in the museum, resulting in the destruction of the roof, and the restoration lost its original appearance.
