Preserved heart of writer Rudolf Těsnohlídek

Preserved heart of Rudolf Těsnohlídek iHyi (Atlas Obscura User)

Embryos, bones, body organs and other pathological exhibits are well preserved in a small museum inside and Institute of Forensic Medicine at Medical Faculty of Masaryk University and St. Ann’s Faculty Hospital (Ústav soudního lékařství Masarykovy univerzity). And among dozens of weird, bizzare or terrifying showpieces, there is one utterly unique.

It is a heart of famous Czech writer and journalist Rudolf Těsnohlídek (1882-1928) who is most famous for his book about a clever fox ‘The Cunning Little Vixen’ (‘Příhody Lišky Bystroušky’), which was also adapted as a famous opera piece by world’s renowned Leoš Janáček. Těsnohlídek is also a founder of a Christmas tree tradition in Brno linked with annual charity collection for orphans or neglected children.

On Janury 12th 1928, Těsnohlídek took his life. He shot himself to his chest in newsroom of ‘Lidové noviny’ in Brno. The bullet left his heart untouched, but did not miss it entirely. There are visible marks after the bullet trail which can be seen on the preserved heart.

Know Before You Go

Unfortunately, the museum at Institute of Forensic Medicine is not normally open to public. But it is possible to visit it during the Masaryk's University Doors Open Days, or during a field trip day, which can be arranged with the representatives of the Institute.