Description of the attraction
Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum is widely known throughout the world. Now its branches exist in many cities in Europe, Asia and America.
How it all began
The founder of the museum, sculptor Anna Maria Tussauds (née Grossholz) learned this art from the famous wax master Philip Curtis in Bern. The first exhibition of wax figures was organized by Curtis in 1770, and it is a great success. Maria Grossholz created her first sculpture - an image of Voltaire - in 1777. Then there were portraits of Jean-Jacques Rousseau and Benjamin Franklin, and during the French Revolution she made death masks for many executed. After Curtis's death in 1794, Maria inherits his wax collection. In 1795, she married François Tussaud, and it is under this name that the museum will become famous all over the world.
In subsequent years, Madame Tussauds travels a lot with her collection in Europe. In 1802, she arrived in London, but due to the outbreak of the Anglo-French war, she could not return to France. She travels to Great Britain and Ireland, and in 1835 settles in London, on Baker Street. The first permanent exhibition of the Wax Museum opens here.
Madame Tussauds London
The main attraction of the museum was the Room of Horrors - images of victims of the French Revolution and murderers and other criminals. Gradually, portraits of famous people were added to the collection - Admiral Nelson, Walter Scott. Some figures made by Marie Tussaud herself have survived to this day. Her self-portrait, created in 1842, has also survived - now it is in the hall of the museum.
The collection grew after the death of Madame Tussauds, and in 1884 the museum moved to a building on Marylebone Road, where it is still located. The wax figures were badly damaged by a fire in 1925; bombing during World War II also caused significant damage. But, fortunately, the casting molds were preserved and the figures were restored. The oldest wax figure in the museum is the depiction of Madame du Barry (1865), the mistress of King Louis XV.
Nowadays, Madame Tussauds displays portraits of many celebrities: famous athletes, actors, political figures and historical figures.
On a note
- Location: Marylebone Road, London.
- Nearest tube station: "Baker Street"
- Official website:
- Opening hours: daily from Monday to Friday 10.00 - 17.30, Saturday and Sunday 9.30 - 17.30.
- Tickets: adults - £ 28, 80; children - 24, 60 pounds sterling; family - £ 99.00
