The Town Hall Pharmacy, located in one of the buildings on the Town Hall Square, is the oldest active pharmacy in the world. The first mention of this institution dates back to 1422. According to these documents, the first pharmacist was Johann Molner. However, it is possible that the pharmacy started working even earlier. This pharmacy is still in operation today.
Today, the pharmacy sells modern drugs and medicines. In addition, in the second hall of the pharmacy there is a hall - a museum hall, which presents medicines used for treatment in the Middle Ages. In the Middle Ages, customers of the apothecary could buy such remedies as mummy juice, which is the powder of a mummy mixed with liquid; powder from burnt hedgehogs or bees; powder from bats and unicorn horns, as well as snake potion. In addition, earthworms, swallow's nests, or even herbs or perfumes could also be purchased.
In addition to medicines, food items such as biscuits, candy, and marzipan were also available. According to legend, the recipe for marzipan was invented by local apothecaries. They were experimenting with mixing different medicines, and as a result, one day they got marzipan. This treat is a trademark of Tallinn, which you can buy for yourself or take to your friends as a souvenir.
You could also buy household goods at the pharmacy. This establishment sold paper, candles, ink, gunpowder, paints, and spices. And when tobacco was brought to Estonia, the first place to sell it was the town hall pharmacy.
Entrance to the pharmacy and the museum hall is free, and you can even treat yourself to marzipan at the cash desk. It is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays.
