“Unicorn horn” as medicine? Yes, such remedies are displayed here at the Museo de la Farmacia Hispana. This museum is one of Europe’s best of its kind. It presents a fascinating journey through the history of pharmacy.
The Museo de la Farmacia Hispana began in the early 20th century. Rafael Folch Andreu initiated it. In 1944, the collections moved to their current location in the Ciudad Universitaria. The museum opened in 1951. Guillermo Folch Jou became the director. After his death, Francisco Javier Puerto Sarmiento took over.
Inside the Museo de la Farmacia Hispana, you will discover many things. There are amulets. See ex votos linked to the magical side of healing. You can view advertising posters from the early 20th century. The museum has a range of historic pharmacies. These pharmacies were rescued and rebuilt inside the museum.
One example is the Gibert pharmacy. It comes from Torredembarra in Tarragona. Its 18th-century shelves display ceramic pharmacy jars. These are from Puigcerdà and are from the same period. Another notable pharmacy is from the Hospital de San Juan Bautista de Astorga in León. Its furniture is preserved. It holds jars with the heraldry of different religious orders.
There is also a recreation of the pharmacy of the Hospital de San Juan de las Afueras in Toledo. It was linked to Cardinal Tavera. It is shown as it was at the Hispano-American Exhibition of 1929 in Seville. Near the Museo de la Farmacia Hispana, outside the building, is a rural Segovian pharmacy. It dates from the late 19th to early 20th century. It has its original furniture.
The Museo de la Farmacia Hispana boasts a splendid collection of ceramic pharmacy items. They are grouped by production centers. These include Catalonia, Valencia, Aragon, Talavera, and Alcora. Most ceramics are from the 18th century. However, there are earlier examples. The collection shows the evolution of decorative arts in pharmacy. There are also pieces from European and American potteries.
The Museo de la Farmacia Hispana shows excellent examples of glassware. Glassware was used for distillation and storing medicinal ingredients. There is a large collection of mortars. They are made from various materials like ivory, metal, and stone. Also, there are wooden boxes. These boxes held ingredients for preparing medicines.
The Museo de la Farmacia Hispana has scientific instruments. These were used in making medicines and pharmaceutical research. They were also used in teaching. These items highlight the growth of instrumentation since the late 18th century. Analytical instruments include scales, spectroscopes, and polarimeters. There are microscopes and magnifying glasses for biological structures. Pill makers, coaters, compressors, and dispensers were used to make drugs.
A small section of the Museo de la Farmacia Hispana is dedicated to homeopathy. It displays medicine kits. Some of the items are dose-measuring medicines. There are items related to artificial mineral waters.
Early industrial pharmaceutical preparations are shown in the permanent display. Many specific items are available for researchers to view. The Museo de la Farmacia Hispana displays advertising for products. These include metal signs, almanacs, postcards, and trading cards. This collection is important for studying 19th-century iconography. It shows how it spread among social groups.
Take a moment to appreciate the blend of science and art. It captures the history of healing. The Museo de la Farmacia Hispana preserves stories of those who sought remedies.