L’Itinerario Europeo delle Farmacie Storiche e Giardini Medicinali

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Barcelona, Spain
The Catalan Pharmacy Museum of the University of Barcelona was created in 1957 by Dr. Jesús
Isamat Vila and was part of the new building of the Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of
Barcelona in Pedralbes.
Its collection houses more than two thousand objects: documents, books, medicine containers,
utensils and equipment, herbal medicines, instruments, old pharmaceutical specialties, furniture and
graphic works; representative of the history of Catalan pharmacy from the 18th to the 20th century.

The Herbal and Wellness tour through the Centuries celebrates the therapeutic power of herbs and passes on the age-old story of the relationship between humans and plants. Visitors pass through rooms of precious herbals, books of herbal medicines, ancient mortars, pottery and glassware, accompanied by the perfume of the medicinal plants.

The Pharmacy Museum is located in the municipal park of Vil·la Rosario de Banyeres de Mariola. It is
located in a unique location where it is part of a group of museums that are very close to each other:
the Torre Font Bona Museum, the Espardenya Museum, the Valencian Paper Museum, the Paraula
Museum and the Pharmacy.

The botanical garden of medicinal plants in Gombrèn is located just outside the village, on the road to La Pobla de Lillet, behind the factory. It is a quiet and natural space where around 300 different plants known for their medicinal and botanical value grow together, just as they would in the wild.

The pharmacy “ŠIRDAŽOLĖ”, located in Vilnius at Pelesos Street 7, stands as one of the most historically significant institutions in the field of Lithuanian herbal traditions. Originally established in 1936 as the city’s first herbal pharmacy and later designated in 1961 as Pharmacy No. 11, it served as a model of herbal practice during the Soviet era. Since 1993, its legacy has been carried forward by the registered company UAB “Širdažolė”, which has operated since 1994 as an independent pharmacy, unaffiliated with any major chains. It continues to promote the use of medicinal plants and natural remedies, maintaining a strong commitment to traditional healing practices.

Pharmacy VALERIJONAS (UAB vaistinė „Valerijonas“), the history of which started in 1870 in Siauliai, Lithuania, treasures its history and traditional pharmacy. Traditionally, its pharmacists not only consult and sell medicines, dietary supplements and cosmetics, but also produce medicines according to doctor prescriptions. In 2019, UAB vaistinė
„Valerijonas“ opened a small pharmacy museum and a tea house at the premises of the pharmacy, which are open to the public. The museum preserves over two hundred pharmacy objects, most of which are connected to local pharmacy history of the period of 1920-1940. Guided tours and workshops take place in the museum and a tea house, the number of visitors exceeded 3000 in the last two years. Workshops connected to a traditional pharmacy are being held there, such as The Worth of Herbs, Lip Balm Workshop and Facial Cream Workshop. UAB vaistinė „Valerijonas“ preserves and promotes heritage related to history of pharmacy. Its guided tours and workshops align with and contribute to the themes of the European Route of Historic Pharmacies.

The museum in Solothurn preserves two historic pharmacies once managed by the Franciscan Sisters of St. Joseph Monastery and the Hospitalist Sisters. These pharmacies, dating back to the late 18th and early 19th centuries, highlight the important role of women in pharmaceutical history and healthcare. The Hospitalist Sisters’ pharmacy served as the official city hospital pharmacy until the mid-20th century, while less is known about the use of the St. Joseph pharmacy.

Sant Feliu de Guíxols is located at the southern end of the Baix Empordà county, in the province of Girona, Catalonia (Spain). The town is surrounded by the Gavarres and Ardenya mountain ranges, areas of high ecological value protected under the Natura 2000 Network and the Plan for Areas of Natural Interest of Catalonia. Together with neighboring towns in the Aro Valley, Sant Feliu forms a natural subregion with a long-standing agricultural tradition.

The garden of the Old Hospital is situated at 25-35 Hospital Street, in a building recognized as a Cultural Property of Local Interest. This site houses the Museum of History – Space of the Doctor and Rural Health, which holds ethnological and health-related collections. Both the hospital’s rooms and its garden preserve historical elements that reflect its past. As a place of memory concerning health and illness in the region, it remains open to further oral research and serves as a museum dedicated to these themes.

The Old Hospital of Sant Feliu de Guíxols represents two key pillars of memory preservation: a unique architectural heritage and a historic healthcare space. Its botanical garden was an essential part of the hospital, evolving through various reforms from the 16th to the 20th centuries. A notable renovation in the 1920s, led by architect Joan Bordàs, introduced neoclassical elements and a hygienic design philosophy that emphasized natural light and the therapeutic use of the garden.

The Museum of Pharmacy in Łódź is located in the building that was built in 1840 with a specific
purpose to house the first Pharmacy in the city. The place itself, and the exhibits contained within,
allow the public to learn about the history of pharmaceutical developments of the 19th and early 20th
century, in the context of the rapidly developing multi-cultural industrial settlement that was Łódź.
The museum offers guided tours as well as interactive workshops for adults and children, both in
Polish and English, in an effort to reach as wide an audience as possible.
For the reasons above the Museum of Pharmacy in Łódź is an important heritage site in both regional
and European context, and it serves an important function of educating the general public about the
history of pharmacy and its socio-cultural aspects.

Doade Pharmacy, located in the village of Beariz in Galicia, Spain, is a rare and well-preserved example of a rural pharmacy from the late 19th century. Founded in 1885 by pharmacist Darío Janeiro, the botica served the local community for decades and still retains its original layout, furnishings, and a remarkable collection of historical medical tools, containers, and documents.

The Museum of the History of Pharmacy “Prof. José Mª Suñé Arbussá” is located within the Faculty of Pharmacy at the University of Granada. Founded in the 1960s by Professor Suñé Arbussá, it houses a rich collection of around 2,000 objects that trace the evolution of pharmacy from the 18th to the 20th century.
The museum is organized into thematic sections, including pharmaceutical iconography, ceramics and glassware, scientific instruments, medicinal products, and pharmaceutical literature. Together, these displays offer a comprehensive view of the historical development of pharmaceutical practices and education. Visits are available by request, and educational tours can be arranged by contacting the university directly.

The Museum of Cluj Medical School, „Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, offers its visitors an insight into the history of the medical education in Cluj-Napoca with a tradition of over two and a half centuries.

The Cervantes Pharmacy, located in the heart of Madrid’s historic Barrio de las Letras, is one of the city’s oldest pharmacies, with origins dating back to the Spanish Golden Age. Founded before 1664, it has served the local community for over three centuries, maintaining a longstanding tradition of excellence in pharmaceutical care. Throughout its history, it has been managed by notable pharmacists, including Pedro Serrano, whose death certificate dates to December 1700, and Matías Velasco y Baltasar, a distinguished naturalist and professor in the 19th century.

The Medicinal Garden is a dedicated space where medicinal plants are cultivated within a rich and biodiverse environment. Here, the plants coexist naturally with insects, butterflies, birds, and other ecological agents that contribute to plant health and ecological balance. This space offers visitors a unique opportunity to explore the relationship between nature and well-being through a living collection of healing flora.

MAP’s Department of Botanical Garden VMU, carried out since 1924. Scientific MAP’s collection contains more then 900 species of MAPs. That is an object of scientific, project and studies activities. Complex, innovative, interdisciplinary scientific work is being carried out for research of biologically active substances of MAPs. The MAP’s Department is a unique part of the preserved cultural Heritage of Lithuania.

The museum, which was opened in 1965 in the house where Ignác Semmelweis (1818–1865) was born, has a permanent exhibition that focuses on the history of Western medicine. The exhibition takes visitors on a journey from ancient times to the modern era, providing information not only on the continuous development of medicine but also on the role of medicine and pharmacy in different ages and civilizations.

The Roberto Papi Museum – Fondazione Scuola Medica Salernitana is a unique cultural institution dedicated to the history of medicine, located in the historic center of Salerno, on via Trotula de Ruggero, a street named in honor of one of the most distinguished figures of medieval medicine. Housed in a 17th-century building, the museum exhibits an exceptional private collection of medical instruments, dating from the 17th to the 20th century, which illustrates the historical evolution of diagnostic, surgical, and therapeutic practices.

The Jardí Botànic de la Universitat de València is a historic botanical garden with origins dating back to the 16th century, closely tied to the study of medicinal plants and the advancement of pharmacy. Initially established for the cultivation of species used in medical training, the garden played a central role in the education of apothecaries and physicians, serving as a living laboratory for the study of pharmacognosy—the branch of science dealing with natural medicinal substances.

The Muy Ilustre Colegio Oficial de Farmacéuticos de Valencia (MICOF), founded in 1441, holds the distinction of being the oldest pharmaceutical institution in the world. Its current headquarters is located in a 19th-century urban palace, designed in 1886 by architect Peregrín Mustieles Cano. The building preserves many original features, including frescoes, coffered ceilings, wrought ironwork, and chandeliers, making it a remarkable example of 19th-century Valencian decorative and architectural arts.
In addition to its institutional role, the MICOF safeguards an important historical and cultural heritage. Among its most notable assets is the painting “Alegoría Farmacia–Fundación MICOF” by Andrés Cillero Dolz and Joaquín Michavila Asensi. Its documentary collections include a photographic archive of past presidents, as well as early 20th-century pharmaceutical advertisements from various Valencian pharmacies and laboratories. This legacy reflects both the scientific evolution of the pharmaceutical profession and its deep cultural roots in the region.

The Giardino della Minerva, located in the heart of Salerno, is considered the first European botanical garden created with a didactic purpose, specifically for the study of medicinal plants. Established in the 14th century by Matteo Silvatico, physician and teacher at the Scuola Medica Salernitana, the garden served as a practical space where students learned to recognize and use herbs according to the principles of ancient medicine.

The exhibition depicts the end of 19th century Lithuanian City Pharmacy. The structure of the pharmacy is introduced: oficina (prescription room), cocteria, medicinal materials stock room, laboratory, basement, doctors’ offices. You can also learn about the beginning of higher medical education in Kaunas. The museum is the educational base of the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, where students are given lectures; practical classes are held on the topic of the history of Lithuanian medicine and pharmacy, and tours are organised.

The Monastery of Santa Cecilia in Trastevere, located in the heart of Rome, is a remarkable example of cultural, historical, and spiritual heritage. Built on the ruins of the house of Saint Cecilia, a 3rd-century Christian martyr and patron saint of music, the monastery has preserved its centuries-old tradition of care and hospitality. Inhabited by a community of Benedictine nuns since 1527, the monastery features extraordinary architectural and artistic works by masters such as Pietro Cavallini, Stefano Maderno, Sebastiano Conca, and Luigi Vanvitelli.
At the heart of the monastery’s life is its herbal garden, one of three gardens within the complex, alongside the cloister garden and the citrus grove. Here, the Benedictine nuns still cultivate a variety of aromatic and medicinal plants such as lavender, mint, rosemary, sage, and poppy. In the past, these herbs were used in the monastery’s apothecary, which operated until 1936, producing remedies based on monastic traditions. Today, the garden continues to support the production of handmade items—soaps, scented sachets, essential oils, and preserves—keeping alive centuries-old knowledge of healing plants. The herbal garden remains a living expression of the monastery’s legacy, connecting nature, spirituality, and culture in a meaningful way for visitors and the local community alike.

The Pharmacy Museum in Cluj-Napoca is housed in the historic Hintz House, located in Piața Unirii, right in the heart of the city. This building holds special significance as it was home to the city’s first pharmacy, established in 1573, making it a unique and authentic setting for exploring the history of pharmaceutical practice in Transylvania. Today, the museum operates as a branch of the National Museum of Transylvanian History and preserves both the spirit and structure of its original function.

The Museum of Pharmacy in Sarajevo, opened in July 2022, is the first institution in Bosnia and Herzegovina entirely dedicated to the history of pharmacy. Located in the heart of the city at Štrosmajerova 3, the museum offers an immersive journey through the evolution of pharmaceutical science in the region, highlighting its cultural and scientific significance across the centuries.

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.

Isla del Rey, also known as Illa del Rei or “King’s Island,” is a small islet located in the middle of Mahón harbor, on the northeastern coast of Menorca, Spain. The island holds great historical value, particularly for its 18th-century military hospital and the ruins of a 6th-century early Christian basilica.

The Hesperidarium – Garden of Citrus Fruits, located in Castellare di Pescia, Tuscany, is a unique botanical garden that brings together over 200 varieties of citrus plants from around the world. Visitors can explore ancient cultivars from the Medici collections of the 16th century, rare and exotic varieties from Asia, and more recent selections from the southern hemisphere.

The Ancient Pharmacy of the Certosa di Trisulti, located in the hills of Collepardo in central Italy, is a beautifully preserved example of historical herbal medicine. Built in the 18th century by Carthusian monks, the pharmacy was used to prepare natural remedies, ointments, and medicinal mixtures using herbs from the surrounding mountains.

The Ancient Pharmacy of SS. Sacramento in Roccavaldina, Sicily, is a remarkable example of a 16th-century pharmacy. It houses 238 ceramic vessels, including albarelli, amphorae, flasks, and jugs, made in 1580 by the workshop of Antonio Patanazzi in Urbino. These jars are decorated with mythological, historical, and biblical scenes, many inspired by Raphael’s frescoes in the Vatican Loggias.

The Hispanic Pharmacy Museum, located at Faculty of Pharmacy of the Universidad Complutense de Madrid, is home to one of the most complete collections of objects related to the history of pharmacy and medicine in Spain. Founded in the early 20th century by Rafael Folch Andreu and officially opened in 1951, the museum displays a wide range of historical pharmacy tools, vessels, and artifacts.

The Health and Pharmacy Museum of Lisbon offers visitors a fascinating journey through 5,000 years of medical and pharmaceutical history. Its collection includes rare and valuable objects from ancient civilizations such as Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece, Rome, as well as from the Inca and Aztec empires, the Islamic world, Africa, Tibet, China, and Japan. Highlights include an ancient Egyptian sarcophagus, symbolizing the search for immortality, and the iconic costume of a plague doctor, representing efforts to combat one of history’s most devastating pandemics.

The Historic Pharmacy of the Palazzo Abbaziale di Loreto, located in Mercogliano within the Benedictine Abbey of Montevergine, is a remarkable example of a monastic pharmacy from the 18th century. Originally established to serve both the Benedictine monks and the local community, the pharmacy followed traditional herbal practices rooted in centuries-old monastic knowledge. Its interior houses more than 300 hand-painted majolica jars, once used to store medicinal herbs, spices, and compounds, offering a vivid testament to the art of healing in the early modern period.

The Esteve Pharmacy, located in the historic town of Llívia —an exclave entirely surrounded by French territory, a result of historical treaties in the 17th century. This unusual setting adds to the charm and character of the site, making a visit to the Esteve Pharmacy not only a journey into the world of medicine, but also into the complexities of European history and borders. The Esteve Pharmacy is considered one of the oldest pharmacies in Europe, with records dating back to 1594.

Located in the heart of Rome’s Trastevere district, just a few steps from the Benedictine Monastery of Santa Cecilia, Santa Maria dell’Orto is a key site in the history of pharmacy and a significant stop along the Percorso dello Speziale. From the Middle Ages to the 19th century, this area, connected to the port of Ripa, played a vital role in the distribution of medicinal substances, as well as in the development of hospitals, apothecaries, and medicinal gardens.

The Monastery of Santa María de Sobrado, also known as Sobrado dos Monxes, is a Cistercian abbey located in the province of A Coruña, Galicia. Founded in the 10th century and reestablished under Cistercian rule in 1142, the monastery played a central role in the spiritual, cultural, and social life of the region. It became a prominent stop on the Northern Way of the Camino de Santiago, welcoming pilgrims and offering care and shelter over the centuries. Architecturally impressive, the monastic complex includes a monumental Baroque church, several cloisters, and chapels that reflect its historical importance within the Cistercian order. Historical records indicate that the monastery housed a pharmacy (botica) which served both the monastic community and the surrounding population from the late 17th century until the 19th century.

The Todolí Citrus Foundation, located in Palmera in the region of Valencia, is a center dedicated to the preservation and study of citrus fruits, with a collection of over 500 varieties from around the world. Founded by Vicente Todolí, the foundation combines scientific research with cultural appreciation to highlight the historical importance of citrus. Its ethnobotanical museum and specialized library offer valuable insight into the role citrus has played in traditional medicine and the history of pharmacy.

The Botanical Garden of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, located at the foot of Vitosha Mountain in Sofia, is a prominent center for botanical research, conservation, and public education. Established in 1882 as the Prince’s Botanical Garden, it has grown into a respected scientific institution dedicated to the study and preservation of plant diversity, both native and exotic. Over the years, it has played an important role in advancing botanical science in Bulgaria and the broader Balkan region.

The “Pietro Castelli” Botanical Garden of the University of Messina, founded in 1638, is the oldest in Sicily and one of the earliest in Europe. It was established by Pietro Castelli, a Roman physician and botanist and former director of the Farnese Gardens in Rome. Invited by the Senate of Messina, Castelli created the Hortus Messanensis as a collection of medicinal plants to support medical education and public health. His garden was divided into 14 sections, each organized using an original system of plant classification based on fruit characteristics—an approach considered a forerunner of modern phylogenetic display. Although the original garden declined after political turmoil in the late 17th century, today’s botanical garden continues Castelli’s legacy by preserving and studying the medicinal and endemic plants he once cultivated.

The Ethnobotanical Garden of Aras de los Olmos, located in the Valencian region of Spain, is a community-led project dedicated to preserving and showcasing native plants traditionally used in local food, medicine, and daily life. Developed in collaboration with the Botanical Garden of the University of Valencia, the garden also serves as a research space for studying rare and endangered species, contributing to the conservation of regional biodiversity.

The Arboretum Mas Roussillon, located in Canet-en-Roussillon in southern France, is a beautiful 11-hectare botanical park dedicated to Mediterranean and exotic plant species. Managed by the Catalan Center for Studies in Mediterranean Agronomy and Environment (CCEAME), it is divided into two main areas: a fruit orchard on the Salanque plain and a tree-filled arboretum on the Mas Roussillon plateau.
Visitors can enjoy themed sections such as a water garden with lotus and water lilies, and a xerophytic garden showcasing desert plants and cacti. Open year-round from sunrise to sunset, the arboretum provides a peaceful and educational outdoor experience.

The Horrea Piperataria are ancient Roman storehouses located within the Parco Archeologico del Colosseo in Rome. Situated on the slopes of the Velia hill between the Esquiline and Palatine, these structures were used for the storage of precious spices such as pepper and incense, highly valued in Roman society. Historical sources like Pliny and Cassius Dio refer to these storerooms as central to the trade of exotic goods arriving from regions like Egypt and Arabia.
The site offers an engaging visit through a multimedia experience that illustrates the evolution of the area and its role in Roman urban and commercial life. Accessible via the Vicolo delle Carine, the Horrea Piperataria provide insight into the importance of spices not only for culinary use, but also for ritual and medicinal purposes in the Roman world. The visit sheds light on the broader context of trade, pharmacology, and everyday life in ancient Rome.

Les Aromes del Túria is a unique cultural and environmental initiative promoted by the Municipality of Riba-roja de Túria. This sensory route explores the rich aromatic and medicinal plant biodiversity along the Túria River, offering an educational and immersive experience that connects the local landscape with traditions of health and well-being. The project combines scientific knowledge, community memory, and sustainable practices to promote environmental awareness and appreciation for natural heritage.