Construction of the Franciscan Monastery
began in 1317 but was not finished until sometime in the 1400’s. Adjacent to
the Monastery cloister is one of the oldest, continuous pharmacies in the world
(it has been functioning in the same spot for 694 years). The Pharmacy now
sells current medicine and is fully equipped with modern gear. This however
does not prevent it from proudly displaying its past. Lining the walls are beautifully
painted jars that use to house remedies for the patrons. Luckily the Monastery
has a Museum that displays both their own collection and that of the Pharmacy’s.
Here are a few pictures so you get a feel of how everything looks.
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| This is a priest smoking in a corner... he was trying to hide but we saw him. |
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| The Cloister... |
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| and its fountain |
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| A grapefruit tree. |
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| The Pharmacy's Museum Collection |
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| Old mortar and pestles used to make remedies. |
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| Scales to measure ingredients. |
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| The weights for scales. |
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Medicine Droppers 18th century.
(There was lots of trade with Venice so blown glass could be made to order) |
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Prescription Book with 130 recipes.
18th-19th Century |
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| Medical tools. |
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Semen Cardamomi consists of the
dried ripe seed of Elettaria cardamomum (L.) recently
removed from the capsule.
Used traditionally in the treatment of asthma, bronchitis, colic, coughs, fainting,
fever, rheumatism & stomach cramps.
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The Pharmacy now...
Wow! Do they sell leeches there? Did they stop building the Monastery during the Black Death?
ReplyDeleteInquiring Mind
Unfortunately the pharmacy only sells regular medicine so no leeches. I'm not sure they did as there was no mention of delayed construction. I'm sure they would have mentioned having to do so as it may have changed how the building was constructed.
ReplyDeleteSo if you had say a dry sore throat might they make a special concoction right there for you? Do they function as on the spot doctors for minor ailments?
ReplyDeleteOn a different subject, it is rumored that in Dubrovnik, nothing says Christmas like?. What are the decorations--any santas?.
Ps the photos are really great--from the close up details of medical tools or blown glass to larger contexts we really get a feel for the place ;)
ReplyDeleteNo its like all the pharmacies in Europe that have the green cross on them. Normal stuff and it functions like a CVS, but with nothing you can brows.
ReplyDeleteTrying to comment for the third time... (Ian)... So, that's a nice canister of semen you photographed.
ReplyDeleteThanks bro for that delightful comment. Thats why I put an explanation as to what is actually in the canister.
ReplyDelete