{"id":4155,"date":"2026-02-12T11:11:43","date_gmt":"2026-02-12T10:11:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/obalne-lekarne.si\/?page_id=4155"},"modified":"2026-10-27T12:57:03","modified_gmt":"2026-10-27T11:57:03","slug":"history","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/obalne-lekarne.si\/en\/about-us\/history\/","title":{"rendered":"History"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\n\n\n
\n
\n\n

The beginnings of pharmacy in Koper<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Around 1300<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n

The first secular pharmacy in what is now Slovenia was established in Koper around 1300. The town already had a sufficient population and number of physicians, and its economic and administrative importance made it a key centre for the development of pharmacy services.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

\n
\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\n\n

First written mention of the Palma family pharmacy \u201cAlla Fenice\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

1411<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Historical sources contain the first mention of the Palma family pharmacy, considered one of the oldest known pharmacies in Slovenian Istria.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

\n
\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\n\n

Pharmacy services in Piran<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

First half of the 15th century<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n


A public pharmacy was already operating in Piran in the first half of the 15th century, confirming the long-standing tradition of pharmacy services in the coastal region.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

\n
\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\n\n


Pharmacy diploma of Dr Nikolaj Fonda<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

1680<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n

After passing the pharmacy examination in Venice before the Apothecaries\u2019 Guild, Dr Nikolaj Fonda received a diploma authorising him to practise pharmacy throughout the Republic of Venice. He had studied and completed his training in accordance with the regulations of the time and had taken the required oath. The diploma stated that he was henceforth permitted and required to practise the art of pharmacy freely in any other cities, provinces and places under Venetian rule.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

\n
\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\n\n

Pharmacy \u201cAlla Fenice\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

19. century<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n

The \u201cAlla Fenice\u201d pharmacy (owned by the Palma family) operated in the premises where the residents of Koper still obtain their medicines today until 1959.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In memory of the original pharmacy, the present-day pharmacy displays an original pharmacy cabinet with pharmaceutical containers, bearing witness to more than five centuries of pharmacy tradition in the town. The remaining containers, furniture and part of the galenic laboratory are exhibited in the pharmacy collection at the Praetorian Palace. The original pharmacy dispensary has been entrusted to the care of the Koper Regional Museum.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

\n\n\n
\n
\n\n


Pharmacies in Slovenian Istria after the Second World War<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

20. century<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n


At the end of the Second World War, six pharmacies and one pharmacy branch were operating in the coastal towns of Slovenian Istria.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

\n\n\n
\n
\n\n


Establishment of public pharmacies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

after 1945<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n


After the Second World War, the development of pharmacy services began with the abolition of private pharmacies. By decisions of the people\u2019s committees of the municipalities of Izola, Koper and Piran, financially independent healthcare institutions were established: Lekarna Piran, Lekarna Koper and, finally, Lekarna Izola.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

\n
\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\n\n

Establishment of Obalne lekarne Koper<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

1966<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n


The financially independent institutions Lekarna Izola, Lekarna Koper and Lekarna Piran merged to form a single institution, Obalne lekarne Koper, headquartered in Koper, establishing a unified organisation for pharmacy services throughout Slovenian Istria.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

\n\n\n
\n
\n\n

Integration into Koper Health Centre<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

1978<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n

All healthcare institutions in southern Primorska and the Karst region were reorganised into basic organisations of associated labour, forming a unified working organisation known as Koper Health Centre.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

\n\n\n
\n
\n\n

Regaining organisational independence<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

1989<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Following a referendum, Obalne lekarne Koper was reorganised as an independent working organisation.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

\n\n\n
\n
\n\n

Transformation into a public institution<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

1991<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Following the adoption of the Institutions Act, one of the acts underpinning the independence of the Republic of Slovenia, the organisation changed its legal status and became the public institution Obalne lekarne Koper.
<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\r\n

Related links<\/h2>\r\n