The museum (Pharmazie-Museum Universität Basel) exhibits collections of historic pharmaceuticals, pharmacy furnishings, laboratory equipment, ceramics, instruments, books, art, and craftwork. It is one of the largest collections worldwide.
The collection of obsolete remedies offers an insight into the changes and errors that have occurred in the field of medicine over time.
The collection encompasses medicaments of mineral, herbal, and animal origin, as well as amulets, measuring and comparison instruments, and many other objects.
The practical application of plants as a resource for medical science dates back to the great scholars of classical antiquity and the influence of Arabic culture during the Middle Ages. This history is shown as well.
The development of pharmacy and the use of ceramics (of Arab origin) since the sixteenth century are closely linked. The museum presents a magnificent collection.
The Gothic private chapel, built in the 15th century, was converted into an alchemist’s laboratory and pharmaceutical facility, and is now open to the public.
Das Haus „Zum Sessel“
The house ‘Zum Sessel’, which now houses the museum, was the residence of Erasmus of Rotterdam in 1515 and 1516. At that time, it was owned by his publisher and printer Johann Froben. Erasmus wrote the Bible in ancient Greek here.
In 1527, the physician, natural scientist and alchemist Theophrastus von Hohenheim, known as Paracelsus, cared for the sick printer Johann Froben in this house.
Professor Tadeus Reichenstein (1897–1996) received the Nobel Prize for Medicine in 1950 and worked in this house from 1939 to 1950.
Impressions from the museum
The Court pharmacy from Innsbruck (around 1755)
Paracelsus, copie after the original by Prof. Sepp Dobner
City: Basel
Country: Switzerland
Address: Totengässlein 3
Website: https://pharmaziemuseum.unibas.ch