Town Hall Pharmacy

This cute little shop called Raeapteek or Town Hall Pharmacy is one of the oldest pharmacies in Europe that is still operating. First mentioned in 1422, the place has continuously operated on the same premises for 600 years. Over its long history it has had many different owners, out of whom the most notable is the Burchart family. They were in charge here for ten generations! All the first sons in the Burchart family were named Johann inherited the family business. A medieval pharmacy traded not only in medication but also ink, sealing wax, dyes, tobacco, pipes, playing cards, torches, fabrics, gunpowder, salt and spices. Another very important article was claret, a special drink made with wine and spices that was very popular at the time. And last but not least - marzipan was also made and sold here. The pharmacy was a place where people drank claret and made agreements, heard the latest gossip and passed it on to others.

Today the pharmacy is also a museum where many old instruments and aslo some peculiar goods are on display. It gives an idea of medicine in the Middle Ages. There are mummy fragments, burnt bees and hedgehogs, earthworm oil, stallion hoofs, blanched dog faces and human fat, just to name a few.