Tallinn Town Hall Pharmacy is the oldest pharmaceutical selling spot in Europe, operating at the same address since time immemorial. The exact date when this iconic Estonian landmark appeared is unknown. According to old city records, in the twenties of the 15th century, the Town Hall Pharmacy was already owned by a third owner, but who he was and who had held the drugstore before him remains a mystery.

Throughout its history, the Town Hall Pharmacy walls have seen many outstanding and talented pharmacists who contributed significantly to the development of this place. Among the entire list, the Burchardt dynasty stands out. For more than 325 years, from the end of the 16th century to the beginning of the 20th century, it revolved around the pharmacy. Ten generations of this family worked there since the Hungarian immigrant Johann Burchart Belavary de Sykava received this business on lease from the city council in 1582.

Almost every member of the Burchardt family, associated with the history of the Town Hall Pharmacy, was named Johann and was not only a pharmacist but also a brilliant doctor, whose fame spread far beyond Tallinn. According to one of the local legends, Peter the Great, while on his deathbed, ordered to send for Johann Burchardt VI to help him recover. However, the Russian tsar had died before the great physician could reach him.

At the end of the last century, a thorough overhaul began in the Town Hall Pharmacy, which took more than ten years. The doors of the oldest commercial and medical facility in Tallinn reopened to visitors only in 2003. The new owners took great care of the historical heritage of the place and preserved most of the original interior.

Today the landmark’s premises continue to host a pharmacy, as well as an antique shop and a restaurant.