PHARMACY OF FRIARS MINOR IN DUBROVNIK AS FRANCISCAN CONTRIBUTION TO THE HISTORY OF PHARMACY

Abstract

After reminding of the first pharmacy on the soil of Croatia in Trogir and Dubrovnik in the 13 th century, there follows a presentation of the best known Franciscan pharmacy of Friars Minor, which, owing to its continuous activity since 1317 up to date, has become a pharmacy with the longest tradition in the world. The description of the foundation of the pharmacy and of its development until the 17 th century is relatively short because most documents from the early period disappeared in the earthquake and fire in 1667. The abundance of written documents from the next period, which are kept in the archives and the exceptionally rich monastery library, as well as the impressive exhibits in the wonderful museum, bear witness to a highly profes- sional level that distinguished the work in the Franciscan pharmacy. No wonder that many young Franciscans traditionally used to come here for additional specific educa- tion, especially from the neighbouring Franciscan Province of Bosna Argentina (Silver Bosnia) or the Herzegovinian Franciscan Province.