Salvator pharmacy

History and story

The pharmacy traces its roots to the 17th century, when it was founded under Archbishop George Lippay as a Jesuit pharmacy. After the Jesuit Order was dissolved by the Pope in 1773, it passed to private ownership and moved several times before settling on Panská Street.

The building itself was constructed in 1904 by pharmacist Rudolf Adler, and its neo-renaissance facade is crowned by a stone statue of Christ the Saviour by prominent Bratislava sculptor Alojz Rigele. The pharmacy operated continuously through the Austro-Hungarian monarchy, the Czechoslovak Republic, the Slovak State and socialism, before closing in the 1990s.

In 2020 the city of Bratislava acquired full ownership of the building and undertook a full restoration, returning the historic furniture to its original home. The pharmacy reopened as a fully functioning pharmacy in July 2024.

What to expect

Inside, visitors can admire original baroque furniture from the 1720s and a grand marble table dating back to the first half of the 17th century. The 1904 renovation added a chandelier, scales, a cash register and lamps, all of which are still in place. Trained pharmacists are on hand both to dispense medicines and to share the story of the space.

Look out for:

• The gilded Latin inscription above the counter: “Quidquid agis, prudenter agas et respice finem, 1658” (“Whatever you do, do it prudently and look to the end”)
• A subtle reference to the Three Star Lodge Freemasons hidden in the decor

Getting there

Right in the heart of the Old Town, directly opposite St. Martin’s Cathedral and a short walk from the Main Square. Easy to combine with a visit to Michael’s Gate or the Old Town Hall.