Rats-Apotheke

What secrets lie within these walls? For over 465 years, the Rats-Apotheke has stood here in Rostock’s historic center. This isn’t just any building. It’s a place where history and healing have intertwined for centuries. The Rats-Apotheke first opened its doors in 1542, when the city council purchased this very building at Neuer Markt 13. The council decided to name it “Rats-Apotheke,” marking its significance within the community. But imagine, even before that, this building already served as a “city pharmacy,” tending to the health of Rostock’s citizens. For almost 300 years, the Rats-Apotheke held an exclusive right to prepare and sell medicines in Rostock. Only in 1698 did another pharmacy emerge, the “Hirsch-Apotheke,” breaking the Rats-Apotheke’s long-held monopoly. Within these walls, generations of apothecaries practiced their craft, relying on ancient recipes and techniques. They stocked exotic ingredients like “Taubenkraut” and “Krötendill,” and even utilized peculiar substances like parts of animals and metals. One can only imagine the cures and concoctions they created! Today, the Rats-Apotheke stands as a testament to the enduring power of healing and the rich tapestry of Rostock’s history. As you enter, let your senses transport you back in time, imagining the apothecaries at work and the townspeople seeking their remedies. The legacy of the Rats-Apotheke lives on, a captivating blend of history and wellness in the heart of Rostock.