[NYTr] Cuban Pharmaceutical Museum Named National Landmark

[All the News That Doesn't Fit]

Agencia Cubana de Noticias (ACN)
http://ainch.ain.cu/mailman/listinfo/ingles


Cuban Pharmaceutical Museum Named National Landmark

Matanzas, Dec 12 (acn) The Triolet Pharmaceutical Museum, known as La 
Botica Francesa (the French pharmacy), was declared a Cuban National 
Landmark for its originality, preservation and its 125-year history.

The colonial-designed pharmacy is located across from La Libertad Park 
in the city of Matanzas, just 100 Kms east of Havana. It is the only 
one of its type in the world and displays more than a million and a 
half formulas of 19th century medicines.

Museum director Marcia Brito told this agency that the National 
Landmark award is the highest distinction granted by the National 
Patrimony Council to cultural institutions.

The French Pharmacy was founded by Ernesto Triolet 125 years ago. In 
1964 it was turned into a pharmaceutical museum showing not only 
medicinal formulas but also the furniture made out of precious Cuban 
woods, marble and original porcelain. More than a thousand people from 
around the world visit the museum every month, said the director.

Among the most interesting pieces of the collection are the Apothecary 
Eyes, which are ornamental recipients made out of bohemia glass, filled 
with red and yellow colored water, exclusively designed for the Botica 
Francesa.

Also part of the exhibit are large glass and china containers made in 
Spain known as "demijohns," porcelain pots and glass bottles containing 
syrups, unguents and capsules created by the most outstanding Cuban 
physicians of the 19th century.

The pharmacy's gold and porcelain foundation cup is placed next to an 
effigy of the Blessed Virgin of the Apothecaries to welcome visitors to 
the museum, which though currently being remodeled has its doors still 
open to the public.