Town Hall Pharmacy, or Raeapteek, is a working pharmacy and small museum on Tallinn’s Town Hall Square. First recorded in 1422, it has continued operating at the same site for centuries. Inside, a free exhibition brings the history of medicine into view through old instruments, jars, herbs and remedies, including bat blood and dried frogs once used as medicine. Look into the drawers as well as the display cases. The pharmacy still sells medicines, so you can step into a living business as well as a piece of Tallinn’s past.
A pharmacy recorded in 1422
Raeapteek, the Town Hall Pharmacy, stands on Town Hall Square in Tallinn’s Old Town. The pharmacy was first mentioned in written records in 1422, when it already had its third owner. It has continued to operate at the same premises, and today the building combines a working pharmacy with a museum.
That combination gives the visit its particular character. The museum is inside an active pharmacy, where medicines are still sold. You can look at the historical displays and then see the shop continue its everyday work.
Medicine on display
The small museum traces the pharmacy’s history with detailed documentation, including a list of the people who worked there. Its displays include old medical instruments, jars of spices and medicinal ingredients, and remedies from earlier centuries.
Some of the items reflect treatments that are startling by modern standards. Displays include bat blood, dried tree frogs and a stuffed hedgehog, all connected with past medicinal practices. Drawers hold herbs and flowers, giving you another way to examine the materials once associated with pharmacy. A blue and a red liquid jar also recall a medieval convention: the colours served as a sign for a pharmacy when many people could not read.
Visits and activities
The museum is free to enter, and groups of up to 10 can visit at any time. If you want a more guided introduction, you can arrange an appointment with a Pharmacy Historian. The pharmacy also runs activities such as marzipan making and herb workshops; check ahead if you have a particular activity in mind.
The exhibition is compact, so it suits a brief visit between other stops around Town Hall Square. Take a little time with the drawers and the written history rather than only passing the display cases. The pharmacy remains open as a place to buy medicines as well as a place to explore the history of pharmacy.
FAQ
Is the Town Hall Pharmacy museum free?
Yes. The museum is free to enter. Groups of up to 10 can visit without an appointment.
How long do you need at Town Hall Pharmacy?
Allow about 15 to 20 minutes for the small museum and its displays.
Can you visit with a Pharmacy Historian?
Yes. You can book an appointment with a Pharmacy Historian for an educational visit.
Are there workshops at the pharmacy?
Activities include marzipan making and herb workshops. Book ahead if you want to take part in a specific activity.
