Tallinn and a Medley of Museums, Tallinn, Estonia

Estonians love their museums and Tallinn reflects this passion with some interesting collections, exhibitions and buildings. Raeapteek in the Town Hall Square is the oldest pharmacy in Europe that has continuously carried on its business in the same building.. Although a pharmacy in Lübeck is currently disputing this claim. The exact opening date is not known, but it is evident from the documents of the town council of Tallinn that by 1422 the pharmacy already had its third owner. The pharmacy was owned by the same family until 1911 when it was sold. During Soviet times the government took over the pharmacy but it continued to operate as a pharmacy. The room that housed the original pharmacy has now become a small museum and the pharmacy itself operates from another room but it is still in the same building. When the museum was established it was the original Estonian History Museum but that has now moved to the Great Guildhall. Our guide in the pharmacy, appropriately dressed in period costume, enthralled us with tales of its history as we sipped klarett and munched marzipan. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).