Barokní lékárna U Bílého jednorožce

About the museum

In the house no. 149/I on the Klatovy square, the operation of a town pharmacy is documented from as early as 1639. From this period the fittings of the back room, the so-called přípravna (preparation room), have survived, with hand-operated and mechanical devices for preparing medicines, ointments and suppositories, a three-stage furnace for drying herbs heated from the corridor, and remnants of old remedies of plant and animal origin.

The fittings of the front room, the so-called oficina (dispensary), were carved for the pharmacy by the lay brother Jan Geschwendt of the Jesuit college in 1733. After the dissolution of the Jesuit order in 1773, the fittings were bought for his business by the Klatovy pharmacist Jan Michal Firbas. Against the walls of the oficina stand repositories with columns and richly carved capitals. A narwhal tusk in the upper part of one of them recalls the time when the pharmacist was granted permission to use the name U Bílého jednorožce (At the White Unicorn). The shelves hold wooden, majolica, pewter, porcelain and glass vessels.

The pharmacy served regular operations until 1966, when it was declared a monument, closed for operation and taken over by the Klatovy museum. At the turn of 2009 and 2010 the fittings of the first room were restored, and the furniture regained its original colouring. In June 2014 a new portal with the head of a white unicorn, the pharmacy’s symbol, was unveiled.

Highlights

• Original carved fittings of the oficina from 1733
• Dispensary room with historical devices and a furnace for drying herbs
• Narwhal tusk recalling the name “U Bílého jednorožce”
• Collection of apothecary jars in majolica, pewter, porcelain and glass
• Portal with the head of a white unicorn from 2014
• Joint ticket with the Vlastivědné muzeum Dr. Hostaše

Permanent exhibition

• Barokní lékárna U Bílého jednorožce – The tour includes the oficina with carved fittings from 1733 and the dispensary room with devices, a furnace for drying herbs and remnants of historical remedies.

Operated by

Vlastivědné muzeum Dr. Hostaše v Klatovech, příspěvková organizace

Admission & discounts

Free admission: On Den krajů (Day of the Regions, 28 October), a single admission fee of CZK 28 applies to the museum’s exhibitions and displays as well as to the Baroque pharmacy.

Payment is possible in cash only. With the Šumava CARD there is a 25% discount on admission. For collectors, the museum offers tourist stamp no. 1796 (CZK 40), tourist calling card no. 2690 (CZK 12) and the Turistický deník (tourist diary, CZK 50).

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

A family ticket of CZK 250 is available for at most 2 adults and 3 children.

Getting there & parking

The pharmacy is in the house no. 149/I on Náměstí Míru in the centre of Klatovy.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit