Deutsches Apotheken-Museum

About the museum

The museum was established in 1937 as a nonprofit foundation and opened in Munich in 1938. Its core was the pharmaceutical history collection of pharmacist Walter Heinrici. In 1943 the Munich building was almost completely destroyed in an air raid; after the war the rescued holdings were initially taken to the Neue Residenz in Bamberg.

Since 1957 the museum has been based in Heidelberg Castle. Its rooms are spread across the Ottheinrichsbau, the Ludwigsbau and the Apothekerturm (Apothecary Tower), under whose dome a historic laboratory has been recreated. It is run by the Deutsche Apotheken Museum-Stiftung and supported by a friends' association and the Federal Union of German Associations of Pharmacists (ABDA).

The exhibition spans the remedies of antiquity through to drug manufacturing in the 21st century. On view are fully furnished pharmacies from the 17th to 19th centuries, precious apothecary jars made of glass, faience and majolica – including one of the most important collections of enamel-painted pharmacy glasses of the 18th century – and around 1,000 historic medicines. Because admission is included in the castle ticket, the museum is one of the most visited in Germany; in 2025 it welcomed more than 680,000 visitors. Since 2019 a pharmacy garden with historic medicinal plants, accessible only on guided tours, has added to the offering.

Highlights

• Fully furnished historic pharmacies from the 17th to 19th centuries
• Recreated laboratory in the domed Apothecary Tower
• Apothecary jars made of glass, faience and majolica
• Around 1,000 historic medicines and drugs
• Pharmacy garden with historic medicinal plants (guided tours only)

Permanent exhibitions

• Deutsches Apotheken-Museum – Dauerausstellung – A tour through the history of pharmacy from antiquity to the present, with historic dispensaries, apothecary jars, medicines and the recreated laboratory in the Apothecary Tower.

Founded

1937

Operated by

Deutsche Apotheken Museum-Stiftung

Director

Elisabeth Huwer

Admission & discounts

No separate museum admission: the visit is included in the castle ticket of the Staatliche Schlösser und Gärten (State Palaces and Gardens), which also covers the funicular (Talstation–Schloss–Molkenkur), the castle courtyard, the Altan terrace and the Great Barrel. For further reductions and the annual pass, see Heidelberg Castle.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

By its own account, the castle and museum are not accessible: cobblestones in the castle courtyard and three steps at the museum entrance (staff will help). After that, seven rooms are on one level, while three rooms can only be reached via narrow, steep stairs; a folder with texts and images of these is available. The shop is step-free from the castle courtyard. Bookable experience tour “Mit vier Sinnen” (With Four Senses) for blind and visually impaired visitors. Guide dogs allowed, other animals not. Two accessible parking spaces near the Schloss funicular station.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Kids’ birthday parties

Tours for kindergartens and schools; four children's birthday programs (including a museum rally for ages 8 to 12 and magic and witch themes); no birthday parties between July 15 and September 15.

Getting there & parking

The funicular takes two minutes from Kornmarkt to the Schloss station. On foot via the steep Burgweg approx. 10 minutes (November–March only until dusk), or via just over 300 steps approx. 10–15 minutes.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Museum shop in the castle courtyard. Castle restaurants nearby.

Events & venue rental

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

Plan your visit