“At the Black Eagle” – the oldest pharmacy in Zagreb

According to records, the oldest city pharmacy is located at 9 Kamenita Street, near the Stone Gate. It’s been operating continuously for 700 years.

The pharmacy’s history begins with a document from March 6, 1355, which mentions the profession for the first time in a court case involving Jacobus and a furrier. Jacobus likely came from northern Italy, became a citizen of Gradec, and opened his pharmacy.

The name “At the Black Eagle” (K crnom orlu), on the pharmacy’s coat of arms, appeared by the first half of the 15th century. And in the late 14th century, Nicolò, the great-grandson of the famous poet Dante Alighieri, who moved to Zagreb from Verona, worked there. The 1425 Statute of the City of Zagreb mentions it as “Apotheca Civitatensis ad Aquillam Nigram” (City Pharmacy At the Black Eagle), and its coat of arms includes the city of Zagreb’s coat of arms.

Back in the Middle Ages, streets didn’t have names, and houses had signs instead of numbers. The big black eagle became the symbol of the city’s oldest pharmacy.

In the 14th century, as Gradec grew as a major trading center, healthcare also began to develop. Doctors, surgeons, and pharmacists worked to improve public health. Around this time, the Hospital of the Blessed Virgin Mary, located where Banski dvori is today, was also mentioned.

Throughout its history, the pharmacy was often owned by foreigners, mostly merchants. Then, in the 20th century, Vjera Rojc became the first female owner.

In 1947, by decision of the Ministry of Public Health, the pharmacy ceased to exist under the name “At the Black Eagle,” and the space and business were taken from Vladimir Rojc, the last owner. Today, it operates as part of the Zagreb City Pharmacy subsidiary of the Zagreb Holding.

“At the Black Eagle” is the oldest known pharmacy in Zagreb. However, it’s believed that Kaptol also had a pharmacy at the same time, but its name and location have been lost to history.

The building that houses the pharmacy was expanded in 1823 according to the design of architect Bartol Felbinger. The facade of the ground floor is divided by four Doric pilasters on which an entablature rests. It is considered a quality achievement of Zagreb classicism. The interior was renovated according to the design of architect Zvonimir Marohnić in the mid-1960s.