Pharmacy Museum of the University of Basel

Designed as a collection of specimens for study purposes, the museum was founded in 1924 by Josef Anton Häfliger (1873–1954) and has been preserved to this day in its original form as a 'scientific cabinet'.

»Zum Vorderen Sessel«, the building that houses the museum, is located in the historic centre of Basel, halfway between the market square and St Peter's Church.

The printers were joined by famous illustrators such as Hans Holbein the Younger and his brother Ambrosius, and the engraver Urs Graf.

In 1526 and 1527, the famous physician and alchemist Theophrastus von Hohenheim, who styled himself Paracelsus, worked there;[2] he had just moved to Basel and was Froben's family doctor.

In 1924, he donated his collection of ancient apothecary vessels, obsolete drugs, prescriptions, woodcarvings, paintings and books to the University of Basel.

By establishing the collection in the Department of Pharmacy, Häfliger was able to make reference to historical developments as he introduced students to pharmaceutical practices.

Moreover, it contains material whose collection had not been originally intended, such as drug compendiums, advertising brochures, price and tariff lists and so forth).

Original fittings from the city's 'Barfüsser-Apotheke' are now installed in the museum shop where visitors can choose from a selection of teas, herbs, confectionery, pharmaceutical glassware, soaps and other souvenirs.