Museum of Pharmaceutical History

The Museum of Pharmaceutical History in Sibiu is a rare gem: Romania’s oldest pharmacy, documented since 1494, transformed into a museum that preserves centuries of medical practice. Located in the charming Huet Square, the building itself is part of the experience, with vaulted rooms and wooden cabinets that once stored herbs, tinctures, and early medicines. Inside, visitors explore three atmospheric rooms filled with original furniture and over 6,000 artifacts. One of the most interesting facts is that the pharmacy operated continuously for more than 500 years, serving Saxon nobles, merchants, and travelers. The museum displays ceramic jars, glass vials, mortars, scales, and handwritten recipes that reveal how pharmacists blended science with tradition. Many remedies were based on plants from the Carpathians, while others used exotic ingredients brought by traders. A highlight is the laboratory, where early chemists distilled essences, prepared ointments, and experimented with mineral compounds. The apothecary’s tools—alembics, grinders, and measuring instruments—show how medicine evolved from alchemy to modern pharmacology. The collection also includes medical books, anatomical drawings, and curious objects like leeches jars and early surgical instruments.