Pharmacy on the Stairs | Museums of Serbia

The Pharmacy on the Stairs in Vršac is the oldest city pharmacy, one of the most representative city buildings, and undoubtedly one of the top tourist attractions in Vršac.

Its original name was "The Pharmacy by the Savior" or "By Salvatore," and from its opening in 1784 until 1971, it functioned as a pharmacy before becoming an exhibition space.

The first Vršac pharmacy was built in the Baroque style and represents a monument of exceptional cultural significance. It was built in the Neoclassical style. Since the 1970s, this building has been part of the City Museum and contains several exhibitions:

· History of health culture

· Commemoration of Paja Jovanović

· "Archaeology, Paleolithic, Neolithic, and Middle Ages"

· "Medals from the 18th and 19th centuries"

In the "officina," specifically the first room, a scale, cash register, stalls, entrance bell, and nearly the entire inventory from the second half of the 18th century are displayed. The second room showcases the history of health culture. Cupping glasses for bloodletting, pharmacist's mortars, stethoscopes, pill presses, as well as paintings of old pharmacies in Vršac, are presented in the second room. The attic consists of two levels where medicines, teas, and dried medicinal herbs were prepared.

Within the Pharmacy, there is a memorial collection dedicated to Paja Jovanović, with the notable "Vršac Triptych" by the renowned painter. This artistic work received an award at the Millennium Exhibition in the capital of Hungary in 1896. In this part of the museum, Jovanović's paintings, which the artist donated to the city, are exhibited.

The first part of the triptych depicts a market on the city square, local people, and the municipal building with a prominent window. The second part shows grape harvesting and the 15th-century Tower, while the third part represents a harvest. Visitors also have the opportunity to see other famous works by the artist, such as "The Fight of the Roosters," "Dressing the Bride," as well as portraits of King Alexander, Laza Dunđerski, and Uroš Džinić. Personal belongings, the Charter of Honorary Citizen, a portrait of Rudolf Svoboda, and a Self-Portrait are just some of the exhibits accessible to the public in this Vršac museum.

The archaeological exhibition consists of the oldest tools for work preserved in this area, dating back 25,000 years before our era. Pottery objects, jewelry, traces of Huns, Dacians, Celts, and Romans testify to the tradition and culture of Vršac.

Today known as the "Pharmacy on the Stairs," this institution received its name due to the staircase that was later added to the western facade of the building. Its first owners were of German origin, and the last owner of the pharmacy was Paja Jovanović's half-brother.

The museum is open to visitors from Tuesday to Friday, from 10 am to 4 pm, and on weekends from 10 am to 5 pm. The ticket price is 150 dinars, while privileged categories of the population can enter for a symbolic price of 100 dinars.