Brandenburgisches Apothekenmuseum

Current exhibitions

About the museum

The Löwen-Apotheke (Lion Pharmacy) on the Cottbus market square dates back to a privilege granted in 1568 by Margrave John of Küstrin, who gave the town physician the exclusive right to supply medicines; in 1573 the pharmacy began operating in a purpose-built house. Although the town fire of 1671 destroyed much of the town, the vaulted rooms of the dispensary (Offizin), laboratory and cellar survived. A half-timbered extension was added in 1675, and the stepped gable with the figure of Hygieia was put on around 1800. Under changing owners and, from 1951, as a state-run pharmacy, the building remained in operation for over 400 years until 1984.

After the ensemble was listed as a historic monument in 1980, the decision was made in 1982 to set up a museum here. Following several years of conversion, the Niederlausitzer Apothekenmuseum (Lower Lusatian Pharmacy Museum) opened on June 1, 1989, with holdings initially drawn mainly from pharmacies in the region. As the collection and catchment area grew, it has been called the Brandenburgisches Apothekenmuseum since 2002. It is run by a friends' association.

On more than 400 square meters, the museum shows the typical workrooms of a pharmacy around 1850, including the galenic laboratory with a hearth and tincture press, and a poison and herb chamber with wooden drawers. Dispensaries from Peitz (1930) and Fehrbellin (GDR era) complete the tour. A special exhibition changes every year in the half-timbered extension, and herbs and teas are sold in the former dispensary.

Highlights

• Galenic laboratory with historic furnace and tincture press
• Poison and herb chamber with over a hundred wooden drug drawers
• Dispensary of the Adler-Apotheke Peitz from 1930
• East German (GDR) dispensary with medicines from four decades
• Herb sales in the historic dispensary
• Stepped gable with Hygieia figure on the Altmarkt

Permanent exhibitions

• Historische Apothekenräume der Löwen-Apotheke – A tour through the workrooms of a pharmacy around 1850 – dispensary, galenic laboratory, poison and herb chamber – up to pharmacy in the GDR.

Founded

1989

Operated by

Verein zur Förderung des Brandenburgischen Apothekenmuseums in Cottbus e.V.

Admission & discounts

All prices include a photo permit and guided tour. According to the museum, the price list is not exhaustive; it is not stated who qualifies for the reduced price. An in-depth tour of the special exhibition must be arranged by phone.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom: not available
• 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

Because of the historic building fabric, the exhibition rooms are not accessible for wheelchairs, walkers or strollers; there are no accessible restrooms. The herb shop can be reached with a mobile ramp, but the inner courtyard cannot.

Kids & families

• Stroller-friendly: not available

The exhibition rooms are not accessible with strollers; the building can only be visited as part of a guided tour.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Café: not available
• Restaurant: not available
• Museum shop

Herb shop in the former pharmacy salesroom (historic furnishings from 1871 from the Löwen-Apotheke in Forst) with teas, herbal blends, herbal liqueurs, postcards and porcelain mortars; shipping on request.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Plan your visit