Raeapteek (Town Hall Pharmacy)

One of the oldest continuously operating pharmacies in Europe, since at least 1422

The Raeapteek is one of the oldest continuously operating pharmacies in the world — the building on Town Hall Square has functioned as a pharmacy since at least 1422, and possibly earlier. It still operates today as a working pharmacy, though the interior has been restored to evoke the historical atmosphere, with wooden cabinetry, old measuring instruments, and displays of historical remedies.

It is a brief but fascinating stop on Town Hall Square — the juxtaposition of medieval trade traditions and modern pharmaceutical products in the same space is genuinely striking. The pharmacists are used to curious visitors.

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A story
Among the documented remedies sold here in the 15th century were roasted bees (for fever), viper flesh (for plague), and unicorn horn (for general ailments). The pharmacy also sold spices and confections when those categories overlapped with medicine, as they did in medieval Europe. By the 17th century it was operated by the Burchart family, who ran it for 100 years across five generations.

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