The museum at the Robert Koch Institute

The Robert Koch Institute

The Robert Koch Institute is one of the oldest biomedical institutes in the world. Following Robert Koch’s outstanding work in medical research, the Prussian government founded the Royal Prussian Institute for Infectious Diseases in 1891. From the start, the institute was headed by Robert Koch and was later named after him. He is regarded as one of the founders of bacteriology and microbiology and laid the foundations for infectiology in Germany. His research helped lead to the discovery of the pathogens for anthrax and tuberculosis. In 1905 he was awarded the Nobel Prize for Medicine for his achievements in research.
When Koch was buried in the mausoleum of the institute in 1910, it was marked by the institute’s first museum exhibition. Initially, it mainly dealt with the life and work of Robert Koch. When you go to the museum you can also visit the mausoleum.

The museum at the Robert Koch Institute

To mark the institute’s 125th anniversary, the museum was modernised and enlarged in cooperation with Berlin’s Natural History Museum. It now gives visitors even more insights into the important and practical work of the institute. On an area covering 180 square metres, you can discover 140 exhibits, manuscripts and letters showing you the research achievements of Robert Koch and his students. The exhibits also illustrate how scientific approaches and practices have changed. The exhibition is dedicated to the continuing importance of those medical achievements for people today, particularly in specific areas such as public health. The focus is on general research and on the risk and protection factors that affect human health.

What you can see in the museum at the Robert Koch Institute

• 140 exhibits and manuscripts, including Robert Koch’s microscope and Nobel Prize medal
• 180 square metres of exhibition space
• Robert Koch’s mausoleum

Around the corner

Located directly on the shipping canal, this part of Wedding is ideal for a walk along the waterside. On the way, you could make a detour to the nearby Plötzensee lake.

visitBerlin’s recommendations for your trip to the museum

Admission to the museum is free.
The museum at the Robert Koch Institute is located directly on Nordufer in the Wedding district of Berlin. To get there on public transport, take the U9 to Amrumer Straße or the U9, S41 or S42 to Westhafen. From there, the institute is just a few minutes’ walk away (600 metres).

Information for groups and school classes

Guided tours are available for groups of eight or more. These are available after booking in advance in English, French, Italian, Spanish, Catalan, Portuguese, Swedish, Russian, Polish, Chinese and Turkish.

Opening hours