Pauls Stradiņš Museum of the History of Medicine

Latvian Museum of Pharmacy

A hidden gem in Riga's Old Town showcasing Latvian and European pharmacy history through 17th–19th century tools, manuscripts, weighing scales, and medications. The Latvian Museum of Pharmacy, founded in 1987 in association with the Pauls Stradiņš Museum for History of Medicine, occupies a magnificent 18th-century architectural monument on Richard Wagner Street in Riga's UNESCO World Heritage Old Town. Spanning six exhibition halls with over 3,000 artifacts, the museum traces pharmacy's evolution from prehistoric herbal healing through medieval apothecaries to modern pharmaceutical practices, with dedicated exhibits on "History of the Development of Pharmacy in Latvia," "Pharmaceutical Vessels," "Traditional Medicine," and "Pharmacy-Laboratory in 18th and 19th Centuries." The collection includes rare documents and books from the 17th-19th centuries, authentic pharmacist tools and drug preparation devices, and medicines manufactured in Latvia during the 1920s and 1930s, all displayed within the authentic atmosphere of a historic pharmacy. Notable features include a charming backyard herb garden where healing plants were traditionally cultivated, recreated historical pharmacy interiors from different eras, and a comprehensive display of pharmaceutical vessels in imaginable shapes and sizes. Visitors appreciate the museum's educational value and well-preserved interior that maintains the mystical atmosphere of old-world pharmacy, making it an exceptional destination for understanding Latvia's rich pharmaceutical heritage within the broader context of European medical history.