JGL Pharmacy Museum | Rijeka, Croatia

JGL Muzej farmacije

The JGL Pharmacy Museum, opened in October 2020, is a unique cultural and educational space located in the center of Rijeka, Croatia. Founded by the pharmaceutical company Jadran-Galenski laboratorij (JGL) in cooperation with the City of Rijeka and the City Museum, the museum offers a fascinating journey through the history of pharmacy, both globally and locally. The permanent exhibition is divided into ten thematic sections that explore the development of pharmaceutical science across centuries. Highlights include a meticulously reconstructed 18th-century pharmacy from the island of Vis (Komiža), a rich collection of historical pharmaceutical instruments, rare books, documents, and photographs. A standout feature is the “Health Garden” (Hortus Sanitatis), a living green wall of medicinal plants at the entrance, symbolizing the deep connection between nature and healing. The museum also features interactive multimedia installations that enhance the visitor experience—such as a talking 3D snake (a symbol of pharmacy), a virtual pharmacist named Pablo, and storytelling animations that bring pharmacy history to life. In 2023, the museum expanded to a second location at the Pharma Valley complex in Svilno, where it now houses over 1,800 rare items from the collection of Professor Vladimir Grdinić, Croatia’s foremost historian of pharmacy. With its blend of history, innovation, and public engagement, the JGL Pharmacy Museum invites visitors of all ages to discover the vital role of pharmacy in human well-being.