Considering the remedies of old, have you ever wondered about Stockholm’s historic pharmacies? Let’s talk about Apoteket.
Apoteket isn’t just a place to pick up prescriptions. It represents centuries of Swedish history. Apoteket’s roots stretch back to the 16th century. Then, medicine was mixed with monarchy and mystery.
Stockholm’s first public pharmacy opened in 1575. Anthonius Busenius started selling medications. He sold what the royal house didn’t need. Imagine those early days. Apothecaries were part scientist and part magician.
In the 1600s, Stockholm saw a boom. Nine pharmacies popped up, mostly in Gamla Stan. By the 1700s, three more joined. The 1800s added another eight. Apoteket became a vital part of city life.
Regulations were strict. Authorities dictated where an Apoteket could be. They even controlled what it could sell. To open an Apoteket, you needed a special privilege. This system lasted until 1971. That was when Apoteksbolaget took over.
Today, only a few Apoteket retain their old interiors. Korpen, Ugglan, and Storken keep the past alive. Storken is considered the most culturally valuable in the country. Apoteket played a crucial role during times of crisis. During the plague of 1710-1713, certain Apoteket became “pest pharmacies.” They sold medicine to the sick but sadly, these remedies had little effect.
What did people buy at Apoteket back then? It wasn’t just medicine. Apoteket sold spices, oils, and spiced wines. They even sold sweets. Philip Magnus Schmidt ran Apoteket Lejonet. He imported ingredients for confections. He supplied the royal court. Queen Kristina owed him a lot of money.
Medicines could be strange. Some contained human fat or animal excrement. Others included ground diamonds or lion’s heart. Carl von Linné removed excrement from the formulas. But mummies remained in use well into the 1800s. “The golden egg” was a costly pest remedy. Only the wealthy could afford it. It was made of an egg yolk mixed with herbs and syrup, then gilded. It had no medicinal value.
Many early Stockholm apothecaries came from Germany. They often served as doctors to the royal family. The Ziervogel family ran Apoteket Svanen for over 100 years. Anders Månsson Biewer was the first Swedish-born apothecary. He opened Apoteket Engelen in 1649.
Apoteket names often came from animals. These animals had religious significance. Also, many medicines used animal products like ivory.
Apoteket signs were artistic. They featured sculptures of animals or symbols. Burchard Precht possibly made Apoteket Kronan’s emblem. Carl Fagerberg created the gilded elk for Apoteket Älgen.
In 2009, Sweden deregulated Apoteket. The government chose four culturally significant Apoteket to remain state-owned. These included Korpen and Storken in Stockholm.
Today, Apoteket continues to serve. Many historic locations still display their emblems. They remind us of the past. Apoteket is more than a pharmacy. It’s a living piece of Stockholm’s story. As we move on, remember the legacy of Apoteket. It bridges the past and present.