Muzeum Farmacji im. mgr farm. Antoniny Leśniewskiej

About the museum

The museum was established on the initiative of the Warsaw branch of the Polish Pharmaceutical Society with the support of the company CEFARM, and opened on 26 January 1985. The patron of the institution is Antonina Leśniewska, the first Polish woman to obtain the degree of master of pharmacy. Originally the museum was located at ul. Marszałkowska 72, where her pharmacy had operated since 1933; in 1996 it was moved to the CEFARM headquarters at ul. Skierniewicka.

From April 2006 the museum has occupied the ground floor of a townhouse at ul. Piwna 31/33 in the Old Town of Warsaw. Since 2002 it has been a branch of the Muzeum Warszawy. About seven thousand objects relating to pharmacy have been gathered here, and the library holds about four thousand publications. The most valuable exhibits and books come mainly from gifts from the pharmaceutical community.

The permanent exhibitions present, among other things, the original fittings of interwar pharmacies, including the so-called first dispensing counter and cash desk, a laboratory for preparing medicines, pharmaceutical instruments, and the oldest surviving pharmacy furniture in Warsaw, from the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries. A separate exhibition presents Japanese folk pharmacy. Among the oldest exhibits are pharmacy vessels from a pharmacy operating from 1602 at the Royal Castle.

Highlights

• Fittings of old pharmacies with the first dispensing counter
• Oldest surviving pharmacy furniture in Warsaw, from the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries
• Pharmacy vessels from the pharmacy at the Royal Castle, dating from 1602
• Exhibition “Apteczki i leki japońskich wędrownych aptekarzy” (Medicine Chests and Remedies of Japanese Travelling Pharmacists)
• Library and archive on the history of pharmaceutical science

Permanent exhibitions

• Wystawa stała Muzeum Farmacji – Fittings of old pharmacies, a laboratory, pharmaceutical instruments and the oldest surviving pharmacy furniture in Warsaw.
• Apteczki i leki japońskich wędrownych aptekarzy – Permanent exhibition on Japanese folk pharmacy, donated to the museum by the Kashimoto family.

Founded

1985

Operated by

Muzeum Warszawy

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Thursdays – free admission.

Holders of the Large Family Card, the Warsaw Citizen Card (Karta Warszawiaka) and the Young Warsaw Citizen Card (Karta Młodego Warszawiaka) receive a 30% discount on individual tickets; the Warsaw Pass is also accepted.

Accessibility

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

At the entrance there is a TOTUPOINT marker, and the museum has a tactile plan with enlarged print and Braille descriptions. The ticket office has an induction loop. Wheelchair users can use a ramp that is installed at the door after a prior phone call (+48 22 831 71 79). The museum has an accessible toilet. Parking spaces for people with disabilities are on ulice Zapiecek, Kanonia, Podwale and Kilińskiego (no reservation possible). The surface of the Old Town is cobbled. The exhibition is calm acoustically, but the light from above is harsh.

Kids & families

The museum offers a family ticket and workshops, e.g. the Pracownia Zapachów (Scent Workshop), as well as museum lessons for schools.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

The museum publishes information about spaces available for hire on its website.

Plan your visit