Pharmacy Museum and Qwensel house

The Pharmacy Museum and Qwensel House invites you to step back into the era of gallant Rococo and uncover the secrets of ancient pharmacists. This unique site in the city of Turku is located in the oldest wooden building in the city center, built as far back as 1700. The site represents a rare combination of a bourgeois residence and a specialized museum dedicated to the history of medicine.

Pharmacy Museum and Qwensel House. Иллюстрация. Источник: Kupi.com AI

Here, on the banks of the Aura River, Finland appears in its historical guise from the days of Swedish rule. Visitors are greeted by exquisite Gustavian-style interiors and the fully preserved setting of a 19th-century pharmacy. It is the only museum of its kind in the country, making it a must-visit for history buffs and fans of unusual exhibits.

The significance of the site is emphasized by its authenticity: the building survived many city changes, preserving the spirit of the past. Today, it is not just a museum, but a living testament to how science and daily life have evolved in Turku over the centuries.

To inquire about special events or ticket prices, you can contact the museum administration directly.

Beyond the threshold of this historic home, a real journey through time awaits you. First, you should take a close look at the pharmacy laboratory, reconstructed in the style of the 1920s. Here you can see original equipment, glass retorts, and scales once used to prepare mixtures and powders. The collection of pharmacy glassware and instruments from the first half of the 19th century is striking in its variety and preservation.

As you continue your tour, you will enter the living quarters of Qwensel House. The rooms, furnished with Rococo furniture, allow you to imagine how the upper class of the 18th century spent their time. Of particular interest are the decorative details and everyday objects that create the feeling as if the owners of the house have only stepped out for a short walk.

During the summer months, a visit to the museum becomes even more interactive. A cozy cafe and a specialized herb shop open in the inner courtyard, where you can buy natural products and learn about traditional recipes for healing herbal blends. For children, it is a great opportunity to see chemistry and biology in action, and for adults—an opportunity to enjoy the silence in the shade of the historic building.

The museum is located in the heart of the historic center of Turku, on the banks of the Aura River. Due to its central location, Qwensel House is an easy 5–10 minute walk from the Market Square or the Cathedral. If you are coming from the port or the railway station, a taxi ride will take no more than 10–15 minutes.

The city's public transport system is also very convenient, with numerous buses connecting different parts of the city stopping nearby. In the summer, it is particularly pleasant to stroll along the river, enjoying the views, or to rent a bicycle, as Turku is famous for its well-maintained bike paths.

For those traveling by car, there are paid parking spaces available along the embankment; however, finding a spot can be difficult during high season and on weekends, so public transport or walking remain the preferred options.

The history of this site dates back to the early 18th century. Qwensel House, built around 1700, is the oldest surviving wooden residential building in the city center. It was named after its first owner, the wealthy merchant Wilhelm Qwensel. The building miraculously survived the devastating fires that repeatedly swept through the city in past centuries.

In the 19th century, the purpose of the house changed: a pharmacy opened here, which determined the future fate of the building. The interiors of the living quarters were carefully restored in the Rococo and Gustavian styles, dating back to when Finland was still part of the Swedish Kingdom. Every detail of the setting—from the elegant tiled stoves to the parquet floors—conveys the spirit of bourgeois life of that era.

As a museum, the Pharmacy Museum and Qwensel House opened its doors to visitors in 1958. Since then, it has become an important keeper of the history of Finnish medicine and pharmacology, clearly demonstrating the journey from medieval remedies to professional pharmaceuticals of the early 20th century.

To leisurely explore all the rooms of the merchant's house, study the exhibition of the old pharmacy, and peek into the laboratory, 1–1.5 hours is sufficient for most tourists. This time is quite enough to feel the authentic atmosphere and take memorable photos.

If you plan to visit the museum during the summer, we recommend adding another 30–40 minutes to enjoy the cozy courtyard, where the cafe and herb shop are open. A cup of coffee in this historical setting will be a wonderful conclusion to your tour.

When planning your visit to the Pharmacy Museum and Qwensel House, please note the opening hours to ensure your visit is as comfortable as possible:

• Monday: Closed
• Tuesday – Sunday: 10:00 – 18:00

The museum maintains a consistent schedule throughout the week, except for Monday, when the exhibition is closed for maintenance.

A stroll around the surroundings of Qwensel House will allow you to dive even deeper into the atmosphere of the old city. The museum's location on the banks of the Aura River makes it an ideal starting point for exploring the city's main cultural and historical landmarks.