Old Opera House and Herbarium

The Old Operating Theatre Museum and Herb Garret, located in the heart of London at St Thomas’ Church, is one of the most fascinating and unique museums in the city, offering a unique window into the history of medicine and surgery. Founded in 1962, the museum is housed in a church built in 1703 and contains one of the oldest surviving surgical theatres in Europe, dating back to 1822, as well as an attic used as an herb garret. The history of the museum is intrinsically linked to that of St Thomas’ Hospital, a historic medical institution in London. In the 18th century, the attic of St Thomas’ church was used as a storage space for medicinal herbs used in the hospital. These herbs were dried and preserved to prepare remedies needed to treat patients. This space, known as the Herb Garret, has retained its historical atmosphere, with wooden beams and original shelving that evoke a time when medicine was closely linked to nature. The surgical theatre, built in 1822, represents a fundamental chapter in the history of surgery. Before the invention of anesthesia and antiseptics, surgical operations were often painful and risky. The surgical theatre was mainly used for amputation surgeries, removal of stones, and other urgent procedures, performed quickly to minimize pain and the risk of infections. The operations took place under natural light filtering through a skylight, making it essential to perform surgeries during daylight hours. Discovered by antiquarian Raymond Russell in 1956 while exploring the church, the surgical theatre had been bricked up and forgotten for almost a century. When Russell climbed into the attic, he found a darkened space, with the original skylight replaced by tiles. The discovery led to the decision to restore and preserve this extraordinary piece of medical history, culminating in the museum’s opening six years later. Today, the museum offers visitors an immersive experience in the history of medicine. The environment has remained true to its origins, with visitors entering through a narrow spiral staircase leading to the attic. Here, they can explore a vast collection of historical surgical instruments, medical equipment, and documents illustrating the evolution of surgical practices. Among the displayed objects are ancient saws for amputations, forceps, and instruments for lithotomy, telling stories of pain and hope. The museum not only displays historical objects; it also organizes a series of temporary exhibitions and educational activities. One of the most recent exhibitions, “Every Body has a Medical History,” presented contemporary art alongside the museum’s historical artifacts, creating a dialogue between past and present on the perception of medicine and health. These events are designed to stimulate reflection and debate on medical practices, encouraging a deeper understanding of the challenges and innovations that have characterized the history of medicine. An interesting anecdote concerns the surgical “lectures” held in the theatre. During the 19th century, medical students crowded into the five levels of seats surrounding the operating table to observe the procedures. These surgical shows were important occasions for practical learning, but also for demonstrating new techniques and innovations in the medical field. The tension and drama of these moments are still palpable when visiting the theatre today.