Faculté de médecine – Bibliothèque & amphithéatres

Hidden within the sprawling campus of Strasbourg’s Hôpital Civil, the Faculté de médecine – Bibliothèque & amphithéâtres whispers tales of centuries past. Its modern façade, a product of the 1960s construction boom, belies the rich history embedded within its walls. The Faculté de médecine has borne witness to the ebb and flow of empires, the evolution of medical understanding, and the unwavering pursuit of knowledge. Imagine stepping back in time to 1517, witnessing the first anatomical demonstration in Strasbourg, a spark that ignited the city’s medical flame. The university itself rose from humble beginnings, founded as a “Haute École” in 1538 by Jacques Sturm. Decades later, in 1566, Emperor Maximilian II elevated it to academy status. The seeds of the Faculté de médecine were sown, with the first professor of medicine, Sebald Hawenreuter, appointed in 1540. Fast forward to the 17th century, and we find Johann Rudolph Salzmann, professor of practical medicine, captivating audiences with public dissections throughout Strasbourg. The university, gaining university status in 1621, expanded its medical faculty, adding chairs in anatomy and surgery, pathology, and medicinal material and chemistry. The Faculté de médecine continued to evolve. In 1670, an “anatomy theatre” was established within the abandoned Saint-Erhard chapel near the hospital. Strasbourg’s transition to a royal city in 1681 under Louis XIV marked another shift for the Faculté de médecine. The university, while maintaining autonomy, saw further development, including the establishment of a midwifery school in 1728. Clinical practice found its place in the curriculum, with hospital beds dedicated to student instruction. The French Revolution brought turmoil and change. The former faculty was transformed into the École de santé de Strasbourg in 1794, primarily focused on training military medical officers. This shift highlighted the vital connection between medicine and the needs of society, a theme echoed throughout the Faculté de médecine’s history. The pendulum swung again with the rise of Napoleon. In 1808, the École de santé regained its title as the Faculté de médecine, now part of the newly created Imperial University. The 19th century ushered in a period of remarkable growth. New chairs were established, specialties emerged, and the Faculté de médecine – Bibliothèque & amphithéâtres expanded its reach. The establishment of the École impériale du Service de santé militaire in 1855 strengthened the link between the Faculté de médecine and military medicine. Among its alumni was Alphonse Laveran, who would later win the Nobel Prize for his discovery of the malaria parasite. The construction of dedicated facilities for the Faculté de médecine in 1866, on Place de l’Hôpital, solidified its prominence. But war once again cast its shadow, and after 1870, Strasbourg became part of Germany. The Faculté de médecine was transferred to Nancy, and a new German faculty took root within the Kaiser-Wilhelms-Universität. The return to French control in 1919 ushered in a new era. Under the leadership of Dean Georges Weiss, the Faculté de médecine flourished, blending the best aspects of French and German medical traditions. The construction of new buildings in the 1960s, including the current library and amphitheatres, marked the Faculté de médecine’s commitment to modernity. Today, the Faculté de médecine – Bibliothèque & amphithéâtres remains a vibrant hub of medical education and research, a testament to its enduring legacy.