Kraków part IV - Museum of pharmacy

Among all the buildings that are on Florianska street, one stands out in particular to me: the Museum of Pharmacy, one of the largest of its kind Europe and according to some, one of the best. However, it doesn't stand out literally - I must have passed it about 10 times before I spotted the number 25 between all the souvenir shops, bars and restaurants.

Once you find the entrance, you'll be greeted by Hygeia, the Greek goddess of health, and two wonderful employees who'll lead you through the exhibition.

Actually, it's rather simple: each room is dedicated to a certain era or theme, and on te door there are laminated cards in various languages that describe what you are about to look at. A great system that is very helpful and informative!

On the ground floor you can see the interior of an 18th century pharmacy, while the cellar gives you an idea about how apothecary supplies were stored, and how an apothecary laboratory looked like.

The staircase is full of portraits and diplomas of important pharmacists.

Empire style pharmacy from the 19th century

Biedermeier pharmacy

Baroque style pharmacy

Room dedicated to Ignacy Łukasiewicz, inventor of the kerosene lamp

Colour pigments and other (more or less) helpful medicine of animal origin

Weights and scales

Majolicas in all shapes and sizes

Storage for poisons with everything you need to get rid of your husband ;)

Pill-making supplies and pharmacopoeias

Perscriptions from the past

Place dedicated to Tadeusz Pankiewicz, owner of the only pharmacy operating in the Jewish ghetto

Teta Pehta was here :) As the attic was a dry and warm place, it was ideal for storing herbs and preparing herbal medicines.

All in all, Florianska 25 is a place you shouldn't miss if you ever visit Kraków. The museum's collection contains about 20.000 exhibits that are spread over 5 floors, and even if you are from a non-medical profession, you won't be bored for a moment.

~ to be continued ~