Farmàcia Agramonte, an emblematic pharmacy in Barcelona’s Sant Pere, Santa Caterina i la Ribera neighbourhood, continues its centuries-old legacy. The establishment, recognised as a local cultural asset, features a remarkable 13th-century stone archway and exquisite 1880 Modernista decor.
Zoila Agramonte, the current owner and a qualified pharmacist and dietitian, arrived in Barcelona before the Olympic Games. She sought a distinctive pharmacy, eventually finding her ideal location in Plaça de la Llana. “This neighbourhood attracted me, and then the shop enchanted me,” Agramonte explained. “It reminded me of my country, the buildings, the tradition of Old Havana.”
Preserving History and Modernising Services
Zoila and her husband, Jordi Fexas, who manages the administration, carefully modernised the pharmacy while respecting its profound history. They transformed the interior to make it more transparent and luminous. “The first thing we did was paint it white, because it was very dark before,” Agramonte stated. “We put in good light to give clarity, and we removed the doors from the shelves to make the products visible to everyone.” They meticulously preserved all original furniture, which remains catalogued as part of the shop’s heritage. Farmàcia Agramonte holds recognition as an emblematic shop of the city and features on the Ruta dels Emblemàtics, a route highlighting Barcelona’s historic commercial establishments.
During this new phase, Agramonte also expanded the pharmacy’s accessible space. She opened a second door, integrating the ground floor of the adjacent building. This area, which once served as a storage room, now provides a tranquil space for clients to receive services, such as blood pressure checks. This section of the pharmacy notably houses the medieval stone arch. Agramonte observed, “With the days we live in, we do it a lot, because we all go as we go,” highlighting the community’s need for such health monitoring.
A Legacy of Apothecaries and Unique Remedies
The pharmacy’s history stretches back centuries. Jordi Fexas explained that while no foundational document exists, references to the pharmacy appear in documents from the 1600s. The Royal Academy of Pharmacy recorded its presence in Barcelona in 1714, noting it as one of only three pharmacies in the city at that time. The Saurina family were the first known proprietors, with their name appearing in the archives of the College of Pharmacists as the initial titleholders at Plaça de la Llana, continuing until 1747.
A second prominent lineage, the Cases family, took ownership from 1864 until 2014. Josep Cases, a member of this family, gained significant renown for his “Solució Cases,” a masterful remedy for various ailments. This popular solution was even exported to America during the 19th century. The current Modernista decoration of the premises dates from an 1880 renovation, undertaken when the Cases family owned the pharmacy. Today, a display cabinet inside the shop showcases vintage apothecary jars and an advertisement for the famous “Solució Cases.”
Community Focus and Adapting to Modern Commerce
Farmàcia Agramonte offers a range of services beyond traditional medicine, including natural therapies, essential oils, and biocosmetics. However, Agramonte stresses the importance of pharmaceutical advice. “This is our plus, the guidance, the explanation,” she affirmed. “And that is what the person wants when they come here. The fact of reassuring when necessary, saying, what is happening to you has a solution, it is not so serious, is what the person needs most when they come.” Approximately 70% of the pharmacy’s clients are local residents, with the remainder being tourists or passers-by.
Zoila and Jordi acknowledge the challenges of competing with online retailers. They have adapted by offering an in-store collection service for products purchased online. “Clients can buy at the same price we would buy directly from distributors,” Agramonte explained. “They pay the laboratory and collect the items in the shop. For us, it leaves practically no profit, but it is another service we offer to try to weather internet competition.” Despite these changes, Agramonte remains committed to providing a close, human connection and personalised advice, a service she believes is increasingly rare but highly valued by the community. She also champions natural and local products, such as the Natura Bio and Lliure cosmetic brands, from this unique and calming establishment.
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Originally published by VilaWeb Feed. Read original article.
