“Es heilete sie weder Kraut noch Pflaster sondern dein Wort Herr welches alles heilet” This inscription above the Alte Ratsapotheke’s entrance in Luneburg Germany is a powerful statement. It reflects the building’s history and the faith in healing.
The Alte Ratsapotheke is more than just a pharmacy. It’s a living testament to Luneburg’s rich history. This magnificent building stands as a symbol of the city’s prosperity during the salt trade era. The building we see today was completed in 1598. It replaced an older structure from earlier centuries. It stands proudly in Luneburg’s historic center.
The story of the Alte Ratsapotheke begins in 1475. That year the city council bought an existing pharmacy. They named it the Raths-Apotheke. About fifty years later the pharmacy moved to its present location at Grosse Backerstrasse 9. It served the townspeople for over seventy years. The growing wealth of the citizens from the salt trade prompted a more opulent building. The old Gothic building underwent major renovations under the direction of the apothecary Ulricus Luthmer. Local master stonemason and bricklayer Kohler oversaw the design and construction.
In 1700 a new Raths-Apotheke also called the Pestapotheke opened. This new pharmacy led to the original building being called the Alte Ratsapotheke. That name was inscribed above the entrance and on the building’s side.
The stunning Renaissance-style portal was restored in 1988-89. Careful research returned the portal to its original colors. The interior has been altered over time but original structures remain. This includes sixteenth-century ceiling paintings. The paintings depict famous physicians like Andreas Vesalius Conrad Gessner and Valerius Cordus. Original flooring and the room layout have also survived.
The two-room attic served as a herb chamber. It’s largely in its original condition including the original paint. The wood-paneled salesroom displays historic pharmacy shelves and chests. They are ornately carved with metal fittings. These are still in use today. The complex extends around the corner. It includes the shop living quarters and a former event space.
The building’s facade features a striking nine-section stepped gable. The gable is decorated with ashlar stones. Four rows of window arches made of ashlar stones quarter-circle stones and moldings create a horizontal structure. The unadorned brick walls are painted a light reddish-brown. Beneath the gable is a Latin inscription. It’s a quote from the Book of Wisdom translated by Martin Luther. The inscription highlights the belief that healing comes not just from herbs but also from faith.
The richly decorated portal is two stories high. It features a cartouche showing Luneburg’s coat of arms supported by two lions. Figurines flanking the archway represent the senses of smell and taste essential for a skilled apothecary.
The Alte Ratsapotheke is a captivating blend of history architecture and medicinal tradition. It’s a must-see for anyone visiting Luneburg. It’s a reminder that healing is a complex process involving skill faith and the passage of time.