The memorial estate of N.I. Pirogov

On the outskirts of Vinnitsa, in the estate Vishnia from 1861 till 1881 an outstanding scientist and public figure, the founder of military- field surgery N.I.Pirogov lived and worked.

Pirogov’s contribution to the medicine and science is invaluable. He was the founder of topographical anatomy and operative surgery and created accurate anatomic atlases. His progressive ideas went ahead of time.

N.I. Pirogov

He was the first to suggest the idea of plastic operations, advanced the idea of bone plastics, used anesthesia in the military- field surgery, was the first to put plaster in field conditions, suggested the existence of pathogenic microorganisms, which cause suppuration of injuries.

At that time Pirogov popularized organ saving surgery and appealed to refusing from early amputations caused by firearms injuries of extremities with bone damaging.

The mask constructed by him for etherisation is still used in medicine.

He was a bright pedagogue; a successful practicing surgeon, a great scientist, all his inventions and achievements saved the lives of thousands of people. He never refused a person and devoted his life to unlimited service to people.

Taking part in the struggle with cholera in 1848 Nikolaj Ivanovich made valuable investigations on pathological anatomy of cholera. During Sevastopol Defense (1854-1855) he performed operations, was one of the founders of nursing. He left his estate in the Vishnia village as a consultant on military medicine and surgery for the military operations during the Franko-Prusian War (1870-1871) and the Russian-Turkish War (1877-1878).

Waxen figures in the memorial estate of N.I. Pirogov

In his estate in the Vishnia village N.I.Pirogov opened a free-of-charge hospital, the chemist’s and gave the land to the peasants as a gift. Here famous scientific works were written, his last manuscript «An old doctor’s diary» was finished there but an incurable disease took the life of the greatest surgeon.

Pirogov’s wife decided to embalm his body. To do that she got the permission of church not to burry him and ordered a special coffin. Doctor David Vuvodcev performed embalming by a unique at that time technology. At first the embalmed body of Nikolaj Ivanovich was transferred to the wooden church in the Sheremetka village, which is located in a kilometer from the estate. Later the sarcophagus with the body of Pirogov was put into the vault and in 4 years the church of Nikolaj Chydotvorez was built above the burial-vault.

More than 60 years ago a state (and now national) memorial estate was opened. The memorial estate of N.I.Pirogov consists of the house of the scientist, his chemist’s, estate (a park and a garden) with the area of 16 hectares, a family church; where for 125 years the embalmed body of N.I.Pirogov rests.

Memorial estate of N.I. Pirogov

The collection of the museum comprises more than 15 thousand unique exhibits such as: personal belongings, medical instruments, the library has more than 12 thousand books and magazines, many of which with the marks of the scientist.

Museum’s exhibits tell about medical, pedagogical, public activities of the scientist. In the restored working cabinet of the surgeon, his hall, operation room and the chemist’s everything is the same as it was during the life of the great surgeon. Wax figures of Pirogov himself and his patients create the impressions of reality.

Visitors have an opportunity to go to the burial-vault, where in a specialized hall a coffin with a glass lid rests.

In the park of unique beauty, located around the estate, there are magnificent oaks, limes, and spruces, planted by N.I.Pirogov himself, many rare trees and bushes grow there. In spring the central alley of the park, leading to the museum, is shining with bright colors of various kinds of blossoming lilac.

Every year tourists from many countries of the world come to the museum. This year will be 125 years since the death of a participant of Sevastopol Defense, a greatest surgeon, pedagogue, patriot N.I.Pirogov.

We are inviting you on an exciting excursion to the unique museum-estate of N.I.Pirogov.