The long-prepared JGL Pharmacy Museum was opened today at 11 Užarska Street, in the centre of Rijeka. It is a specialised museum in which the Croatian and world history of pharmacy is presented in a modern way. JGL, in cooperation with the City of Rijeka and Rijeka City Museum, is responsible for its establishment.
"The mission of our Museum is the affirmation of pharmacy and the production of medicines as works of health and cultural identity, which throughout history have been a significant factor in the spiritual and economic progress of the city and the county, and remain so today. We also want the museum to actively be a part of the life of the local community as a place to meet, learn and have fun, as well as to be a reference point in researching the history of pharmacy, a tourist attraction and an educational centre for future pharmaceutical workers,” said Eva Usmiani Capobianco, head of the JGL Pharmacy Museum project and a member of JGL’s Board of Directors.
The permanent exhibit consists of ten interconnected units, which are Hortus sanitatis (the Garden of Health) with live plants, a fascinating timeline showing 18 important events from the history of pharmacy, a pharmacy laboratory, a display of the most renowned people in the history of Croatian pharmacy and chemistry, a pharmacy library, the history of pharmacy in Rijeka, JGL corner, the front-end space (oficina) of an early 20th-century pharmacy, a medicinal herbs section that showcases the entire process from growing a plant to using it for producing medications, and a museum souvenir shop.
"Pharmacy has made an undeniable contribution to human civilisation and culture. I believe that this large and interesting exhibit will encourage many citizens of Rijeka and its visitors to explore pharmacy and the rich history of Rijeka in that segment. I am overjoyed that JGL was the one to successfully realise this project and that we can give our city, in the year in which it bears the title of European Capital of Culture, additional cultural and educational content which will serve to convince visitors how advanced Croatian pharmacy has been and still is, and how much it is in step with world trends in pharmacy. Today, JGL operates in more than 50 markets worldwide, and we have a long pharmaceutical tradition. During our 30 years of work, we have collected numerous materials from the history of pharmacy. In addition to the private pharmacy collection donated by our greatest living authority on the history of pharmacy, Prof. Vladimir Grdinić, PhD, it is the basis of this unique, private, specialised pharmacy museum, the first of its kind in Croatia", said Ivo Usmiani, President of JGL’s Board of Directors.
The opening of the JGL Pharmacy Museum was attended by representatives of the Ministry of Culture and Media of the Republic of Croatia, Primorje-Gorski Kotar County, co-founders – the City of Rijeka and Rijeka City Museum, and dignitaries from the pharmaceutical, medical and museological professions.
"Pharmaceutical memory book”
As part of the of JGL Pharmacy Museum opening, the "Pharmaceutical Memory Book” by Prof. Vladimir Grdinić, PhD, was presented. It vividly outlines the breadth of the field of pharmacy and further affirms the importance of pharmacy as a work of health and cultural identity that has historically been an important factor in the spiritual and economic progress of the city and the county. The book presents a wealth of interesting information and photographs from the life of pharmacy. It is the first book published as part of the newly launched library Ars Pharmaceutica by JGL, whose editions will find their place in the new JGL Pharmacy Museum.
Find out more about JGL Pharmacy Museum at muzej-farmacije.jgl.hr.