Raeapteek
Europe’s oldest pharmacy still operating in the same premises, on Tallinn’s Town Hall Square, with a museum room, guided tours and workshops.
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About the museum
The Tallinn Raeapteek (Town Hall Pharmacy) is located on Town Hall Square and is Europe’s oldest pharmacy still operating in the same premises. The exact founding date is not known, but the register book of the Tallinn town council shows that by 1422 the pharmacy already had its third owner. The building is among the important medieval buildings of Tallinn’s Old Town, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
From 1582 to 1911 the pharmacy was owned for ten generations by the Burchart family; from 1911 to 1940 it belonged to the families Lehbert and Schneider. The pharmacy’s 1695 price list, the TAXA, included 54 kinds of water, 128 oils and 71 medicinal teas, and among the items listed was marzipan, which was used to relieve lovesickness and restore memory. In the Middle Ages the pharmacy was also a meeting place for the council and other influential people.
Today a museum operates alongside the pharmacy, offering guided tours and workshops for children and adults. The pharmacy sells both modern medicines and medieval claret and marzipan. The Raeapteek takes part in the Medieval Days and is open late on the annual Museum Night.
Highlights
- Europe’s oldest pharmacy in continuous operation in the same building (known since 1422)
- Museum room with the history of the pharmacy and medieval remedies
- Guided tours in medieval costume
- Claret and marzipan tasting in the cellar hall, and workshops
- Hand-made marzipan sold on site
Permanent exhibition
- Raeapteegi muuseumiruum – The museum room presents the history of the pharmacy and medieval remedies; admission for individual visitors is free.
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
| Groups (10+ people) | €2 per personFor groups with a guide from 10 people the museum ticket costs €2 per person; for this the group receives the Raeapteek information leaflets. |
|---|---|
| Guided group visit to the Raeapteek (30 minutes) | €100Guide in medieval costume; optionally tasting of claret or marzipan in the cellar hall (claret 500 ml €20, 200 ml €12; marzipan €2.50 per piece). |
| Tour with a guide and a workshop (60 minutes) | €185Workshop in the cellar hall: pounding medicinal and culinary herbs, and making herb salt, spiced sugar, tea blends or bath salt. |
| Raeapteek experience for a small group (4–10 people) | €15Child ticket €7 (up to and including 16 years of age); duration 60–90 minutes. |
| Marzipan workshop | €15Participants 2–10; minimum fee €60. |
| Medicinal herb workshop for kindergarten and school children | €5Price per child; duration 60 minutes; suitable for kindergarten children from the age of 5 and for all school levels. |
| Marzipan workshop for kindergarten and school children | €5Price per child; duration 60 minutes; suitable for children from the age of 5 up to grade 6. |
Admission to the Raeapteek museum is free for individual visitors. Groups (from 10 people) must always book their visit. The price of claret and marzipan is added to the price of the tour.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: not available
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
- Family tours & workshops
- Hands-on stations
There are medicinal herb and marzipan workshops for kindergarten and school children. For families and friends (4–10 people) there is the Raeapteek experience, where children can mould marzipan and listen to the legend of marzipan.
Getting there & parking
The Raeapteek is located in Tallinn’s Old Town, next to Town Hall Square.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
The pharmacy sells modern medicines, medieval claret and hand-made marzipan.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 30 min |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | For a group visit with its own guide, booking is always required for groups of 10 or more (revalirae@apotheka.ee). A guided tour in medieval costume and workshops in the cellar hall must be ordered in advance. |
