You may not necessarily think of pharmacy when you think of Lisbon, but the Santa Catarina neighborhood in the Portuguese capital hosts an entire museum devoted to the subject. Vistors to the Pharmacy Museum (Museu da Farmácia) can actually get an extraordinary glimpse into the history of medicine and pharmaceutical practice spanning five millennia! Since opening its doors in June 1996, this unique institution has become one of Portugal’s most acclaimed museums. It even earned an award for Best Portuguese Museum for three consecutive years from 1996 to 1998. Let’s dive into this unlikely Lisbon museum and what makes it so special.
History
The museum’s story begins with a generous donation from Dr. Salgueiro Basso to the National Association of Pharmacies (Associação Nacional das Farmácias). This initial contribution sparked a wave of donations from pharmacists and institutions across Portugal, which formed the foundation of what would become an impressive collection. The museum’s original mission focused on preserving Portugal’s pharmaceutical heritage, but the collection quickly expanded to include healing traditions from around the world.
In 2010, the museum extended its reach by opening a second location in Porto’s Industrial Zone in Ramalde, which allows even more visitors to experience this remarkable collection.
The Collection
The museum houses artifacts representing 500 million years of humanity’s struggle against disease and pain. Items originate from civilizations as diverse as ancient Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece, Rome, the Incan and Aztec empires, Islamic cultures, Africa, Tibet, China, and Japan. This geographical and temporal diversity illustrates how different societies have approached the universal challenge of healing.
Among the museum’s most fascinating holdings are complete recreations of historic pharmacies. Visitors can explore four different apothecaries including one from Macau and the meticulously restored Estácio do Porto Pharmacy, which once operated on Rua Sá da Bandeira. These installations feature the full range of professional instruments: scales, weights, mortars, pestles, and containers in every imaginable size and shape.
The Portuguese apothecary sections contain some particularly intriguing specimens. Hanging from the ceilings are stuffed crocodiles, cobras, and pufferfish, while glass jars contain pickled seahorses and mysterious liquids in vibrant colors. These curious items reflect the eclectic nature of historical pharmaceutical practice.
Remarkable Artifacts
The upper floor showcases international pharmaceutical traditions through an array of unusual objects: healing statuettes, decorated leather condoms, foreboding chastity belts, and beautifully illustrated medical textbooks. These items reveal the intricate relationship between culture, belief, and medicine across different societies.
One of the museum’s rarest treasures is a Goa Stone, a prized medicinal object from the colonial era. The collection also features portable pharmacies including one used by explorer Roald Amundsen during his 1911 North Pole expedition and another carried by Carlos Sousa in the 2006 Lisbon-Dakar rally.
The museum bridges past and present by displaying modern pharmaceutical equipment along with ancient artifacts. Visitors can even see portable pharmacies from recent space exploration including one used aboard the Russian Mir Orbital Station and another taken on the Space Shuttle Endeavour during the STS-97 mission in 2000.
Recognition and Cultural Impact
The Pharmacy Museum has racked up numerous accolades over the years including the Best Pharmaceutical Project award in 1999, the Almofariz Prize in 1999, and the National Design and Communication Award in 2002. In 2004, it received a nomination for the prestigious European Museum of the Year Award, and in 2008, it won the Best Cultural Extension Service Award.
The museum’s cultural importance was further recognized when Portugal’s postal service issued a commemorative stamp collection featuring images of notable pieces from the museum’s holdings.
A Must-Visit Destination
Whether you explore the Lisbon location in Santa Catarina or the Porto facility, the Pharmacy Museum offers a unique perspective on humanity’s enduring quest to heal and be healed. The collection demonstrates that while medical knowledge has advanced dramatically over millennia, the fundamental human drive to alleviate suffering remains constant across all cultures and eras.
For visitors to Lisbon looking for an off-the-beaten-path cultural experience, the Pharmacy Museum provides an fascinating alternative to the city’s more conventional attractions.
Times and Tickets
The Pharmacy Museum is open from Monday to Saturday from 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM and 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM. Tickets are €8 for adults and €5 for students and seniors. Group and family tickets are available in addition to guided visits. For reservations in advance, call (+351) 213 400 688 or email [email protected]
