Széchényi Pharmacy Museum

The Széchényi Pharmacy Museum operates in the former Jesuit pharmacy in Győr under Széchenyi Square 9.

Namesake

Since its namesake is György Széchényi, bishop of Győr, the name is correctly Széchényi Pharmacy Museum even though it is located on Széchenyi Square.

History

In the Benedictine Abbey dominating Széchenyi Square in Győr, a pharmacy was founded by the Jesuits in 1645, which operated until the early 1700s. Over time it served as a Baroque hall, a lodging, and a copper trade. For the 700th anniversary of the founding of the city of Győr, the pharmacy was renovated and turned into a museum.

Description

The ceiling’s Italian-inspired wall paintings, stucco figures, and leaf‑fruit decorations were created between 1661 and 1667. In the ceiling fresco we can see the Assumption of the Virgin Mary among the “Řosa Mistica” (rose of secret meaning), “Olivia Speciosa” (ornate olive tree), “Myrha Electa” (selected myrrh), and “Lilium inter spinas” (lily among thorns) frescoes, indicating the intertwining of healing symbols with the symbols of Mary’s immaculate conception. The stuccos depict the four seasons. Of particular value is a pair of Rococo‑style cabinets with crowns, held by a Moor, preserved from the original furniture. Here is also a bronze mortar of Prince George I Rákóczi of Transylvania from 1647.