Virtual Exhibition / THE FIRST SERBIAN PHARMACY
Monday-Monday / AUGUST 22 – SEPTEMBER 17, 2022 / SASA Gallery of Science and Technology
There are records in the main part of H. Schelenz’s (1904) “History of Pharmacy” according to which there was supposedly a pharmacy in Belgrade in 1661, but apart from that note, all traces of it have long since been lost. We do not know much more about the first graduate pharmacist who worked in Belgrade, Zemunac Matej Ivanovic, although he is considered the founder of modern Serbian pharmacy. Officially, the first Serbian pharmacy was opened by Matej Ivanovic in a house right next to the “Question mark” tavern, across the street from the Cathedral, in what was then Dubrovacka Street, now Kralja Petra Street.
The pharmacy of the mysterious Zemun pharmacist began operating on April 30, 1830. In that year, the sultan’s decree allowed the opening of hospitals and pharmacies for the first time in Serbia. According to historical evidence, upon receiving a request from one Matej Ivanovic, coupled with a letter of recommendation from the Serbian consul of Zemun, Duke Milos issued an order demanding a permit for the opening of a pharmacy from the Vizier of Belgrade. The permit was issued on the following day. Matej Ivanovic had graduated in pharmacy in Pest, and his younger brother Aleksandar followed in his footsteps. Henceforth “Ivanovic Brothers Pharmacy” will carry the name it was well-known for since the 1840’s. From the first pharmacy of the independent principality of Serbia, medicines were first supplied to the residents of Belgrade, and later to other, newly opened pharmacies throughout the country. The “Ivanovic Brothers” pharmacy was for some time the only place where you could get expertly prepared medicine, (although the majority of the people, despite the prince’s decree prohibiting the sale of “poison” in shops and houses in 1837, still showed more trust in folk medicine).
It changed its name, owner and location several times, so that after the end of the Second World War it became a social property within the newly formed Belgrade Apothecary Enterprise. The legendary pharmacy “Matej Ivanovic” is still working. It can be found at Knez Mihajlova No. 27, where it was last moved in 1964.
