[On the history of the Pathology Museum at the Charité in Berlin].

A museum was founded by Rudolf Virchow at the Institute for Pathology of the Charité. Although initially based on the pathologic specimens collected by his predecessors, Virchow's tremendous efforts lead a rapid increase in the number of specimens and these numbered more than 23,000 at the time of his death. In accord with Virchow's wishes a special building was constructed to house the collection and to make it accessible to the public. It was opened on June 27, 1899. Most of the specimens were destroyed as a result of the war during 1939-1945. About 500 specimens from Virchow's famous collection have survived and are exhibited at present at the Charité's Institute of Pathology.