700 Years old Pharmacy in Dubrovnik, Croatia

Have you ever thought about a pharmacy, which is considered as an oldest pharmacy in entire Europe? The answer comes from the country of Balkan World, Croatia. There is a Pharmacy located in the Franciscan Monastery in Dubrovnik. It is not an ordinary pharmacy but historical one. In fact, one of the oldest pharmacies in entire Europe.

This pharmacy was found in 1317 A.D. next to Baroque Church among the arches of the court of the monastery. The pharmacy was earlier used by the Franciscan Monks to treat their own patients but later on, it was opened for the treatment of local citizens in Dubrovnik. Even after centuries, this pharmacy is still serving humanity.

This Pharmacy has passed many centuries successfully since birth, faced different kinds of Monarchies and leadership and remained under the territory of different countries. The credit goes to all those people who made this pharmacy, those who maintained it, those who preserved all those historical treasures and did not give up on pharmacy even in the harsh eras of downfall which this region over centuries. After the long and unending journey, finally, this Pharmacy became of Croatia in 1991 after the fall of former Yugoslavia. Now, it is part of Croatia and historical heritage for entire humanity.

When we talk about the Pharmacy, it can be said that it has its own attraction for the tourists who visit this place. Some tourists visit this place to study the historical architecture of this location while others come here to find the products which pharmacy offers, prepared according to the ancient Franciscan’s recipes. Mostly, visitors are interested in purchasing the skin cream products prepared through wild herbs. In Old Pharmacy Museum, you can explore various pharmaceutical tools, containers and grinders that reminds you the era of Old Ragusa. If you want to visit the Old Pharmacy Museum, you can visit any day from 9am to 6pm. As far as entry ticket is concerned, you can purchase it on spot.

According to Dr. Shah Muhammad Zubair-ul-Haque

“As a person from the field of Medicine, when I heard about the pharmacy in Croatia, which is serving humanity for last 700years continuously, it got my attention. The most interesting fact about this pharmacy is that it is providing some products with ancient Franciscan’s recipes. There is a saying that herbal products are always useful as they have either less or almost no side effects compared to heavy medicines. This is a fact that whenever we use heavy medicines, they get deposit in our kidneys. Regular usage of heavy medicines may cause kidney failure if they are continuously used for a longer period, in order to take relief from chronic disease. Heavy medicines provide immediate temporary relief while on the other hand; herbal products are natural and does not have side effects like heavy medicines. Herbal products are God gifted natural products, which bring human beings closer to the nature and provides them a way towards healthier life style.”

“I would love to visit this pharmacy at least once; I hope we can utilize the products, which they offer from ancient recipes in today’s modern world. If I get opportunity in my life, I would love to do research with staff members from the Pharmacy on these herbal products to generate even more branches of herbal products in order to serve humanity. Apart from that, historical geography of this location is yet another reason to visit this place. Therefore, this place is highly recommended place to be visited at least once. “

(NOTE: We are thankful to the following resource that helped us in our research)

https://www.dubrovnik-travel.net/