The German Hygiene Museum (Deutsches Hygiene-Museum) in Dresden is a museum about far more than cleanliness. Founded in 1912, it explores the human body through science, culture and everyday life. Its monumental modernist building, opened in 1930 and designed by Wilhelm Kreis, stands near the Großer Garten, within reach of the city centre.
The permanent exhibition, The Human Adventure, ranges from anatomy and the senses to food, sexuality and ageing. Its most famous exhibit is the Glass Woman, a transparent anatomical figure that reveals the body's organs and systems. The museum also addresses its own difficult history, including its role in Nazi-era public health and racial propaganda. Temporary exhibitions bring contemporary social and scientific questions into the mix.
Allow at least two hours, especially if you want to see a temporary exhibition as well as the permanent displays. Check the museum's website for current exhibitions and opening hours; it is generally closed on Mondays. Straßburger Platz tram stop is a short walk away, making it easy to combine a visit with time in the Großer Garten.