The art of medicine frst came to medieval Lviv in the 13th century when Constance, the wife of Prince Leo,  founded a pharmacy and hospital within the grounds of the Dominican Monastery.  However, for most Leopolitans the city’s medical history remains intrinsically linked to the building which today houses Lviv’s Pharmacy Museum. Lviv’s fascinating and historically  important Pharmacy Museum is situated  in  the heart of  the old  town close  to Rynok square  in  the angular house where Drukarska and Stavropihijska begin. The pharmacy  itself dates back to 1735 when  it was frst established by military pharmacist Natorp. On the facade of the building you  can  still  see  two  sculptures which  depict Aesculapius,  the Greek god of medicine, and his daughter Hygiene,  the Greek goddess of health. 

The museum itself was ofcially opened in 1966 but the building had  already  long  featured displays of  items  relating to the development of the pharmaceutical trade in West Ukraine. In 1868 a group of West Ukrainian pharmacists started the frst collection and this eventually grew into an entire
museum  featuring 16 halls! Today’s Pharmacy Museum has over 2,000 exhibits  including scales, weights and measures and ancient artefacts relating to the history of Lviv medicine.
Pride of place among the museum collection are the surviving examples of early 19th century oil  lamps – the oil  lamp was invented in Lviv and played a big role in improving conditions in the city’s hospitals.
To  learn more  fascinating  facts about Lviv’s  remarkable
past all you need to do is take a trip on the city’s Wonder Train
and bus tours!