Body Worlds, The Happiness Project

Body Worlds Amsterdam: literally look beneath the skin Body Worlds is no ordinary exhibition. Spread across seven floors of a building on the Damrak, more than 200 real plastinated human bodies are on display, and that takes some getting used to — but it is also truly fascinating. The bodies have been donated and preserved using a technique that replaces bodily fluids with plastic, ensuring that muscles, organs and nerves remain intact for years. The theme of the Amsterdam edition is ‘The Happiness Project’: how does happiness affect your health, and vice versa? Each floor highlights a different aspect of the body and its relationship with wellbeing. You’ll see healthy and unhealthy organs side by side, and discover what stress, exercise or smoking literally do to your body. There’s a free treasure hunt for children. Body Worlds is a permanent exhibition within walking distance of Amsterdam Central Station, and explanations are available in Dutch and English. An audio guide in several languages is available at the ticket office. Impressive, educational and unforgettable.