Museo Farmacia di Roccavaldina
Historic 16th-century pharmacy with 238 majolica jars from the Urbino workshop of the Patanazzi, visitable on request.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The 16th-century pharmacy of Roccavaldina is a historic apothecary that has kept its entire furnishings intact. Its core consists of 238 vessels made in 1580 in the Urbino workshop of Mastro Antonio Patanazzi; they bear the coat of arms of Cesaro Candia and are decorated with biblical, mythological and historical scenes taken from designs for Raphael's frescoes in the Vatican Loggias.
The furnishings were bought in Messina by Don Gregorio Bottaro at a public auction in 1628, for 400 onze paid in four instalments, and donated to the Confraternita del Santissimo Sacramento (Confraternity of the Blessed Sacrament). The confraternity leased the pharmacy to a series of herbalists, until in 1852 the apothecary ceased to operate.
The collection includes amphorae, large, medium and small albarelli, flasks and small jugs; alongside the Patanazzi pieces are vessels of various workmanship added later, mortars, stills, a small balance, filters and other period material. The pharmacy can be visited on request, and it is a place the FAI has often featured in its Luoghi del Cuore (Places of the Heart) campaigns.
Highlights
- 238 vessels from 1580 by the Urbino workshop of Mastro Antonio Patanazzi
- Biblical, mythological and historical scenes inspired by Raphael
- Period mortars, stills, filters and balances
- Albarello with the inscription on the Rape of Europa
Permanent exhibition
- Spezieria con i vasi dei Patanazzi – 16th-century pharmacy with 238 vessels from 1580, period tools and furnishings.
- Visitors per year
- approx. 750
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €2.60 |
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| Reduced | €1.60 |
Prices as listed on the Musei Italiani portal (updated 2023).
Accessibility
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Kids & families
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Getting there & parking
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Amenities & dining
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Events & venue rental
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Plan your visit
| Good to know | Visits on request at the Comune. |
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