In 121 years of history, the ancient Cartia pharmacy in Scicli has seen the world change and it has changed too
From the illustrious citizens of Scicli, to the most loved fictional characters of our country, from customers to visitors, the history of the ancient Cartia pharmacy begins in 1902, with the sale of medicines and spices; until 1985, in reality, the pharmacy was located in Palazzo Porcelli-Battaglia-Veneziano-Sgarlata, and then moved to Palazzo Spadaro, in the two rooms purchased by the Cartia family.
The activity ceased in 2002, but the life of the ancient Cartia pharmacy continues, in fact the small room furnished in Liberty style is transformed into a museum, where it is still possible to find the active ingredients of many medicines.
The pharmacy is part of the cultural itinerary of the "The Streets of Treasures" Festival.
The Art Nouveau pharmacy
The ancient sign, with a green sign and golden writing, hangs above the large Baroque door, overlooking via Penna and only partially reveals the mystery kept at number 24: original floors, frescoed ceiling and wooden furniture, made by expert cabinet makers in the liberty style Sicilian, tribute to the Spadaro-Venturi pharmacy in Catania.
Behind the windows, visitors can admire ampoules, glass containers with spices and medicines, ancient instruments for measuring products; in the center of the room, the wooden counter houses ancient ceramic containers and also the original cash register.
The painting on the mirror that appears behind the counter is an Art Nouveau work that represents two girls surrounded by plants and flowers, a symbol of the care that comes from nature.
The big names linked to the ancient Cartia pharmacy
The pharmacy owes its name to Guglielmo Cartia, the progenitor of the family, apothecary and pharmacist, who opened the business at the beginning of the last century; the beautiful and precious furniture, made by hand, is instead the work of Emanuele Russino, a cabinetmaker from Scicli. One of the most illustrious citizens of fin de siècle Scicli, Giovanni Gentile, philosopher and professor of art history, donated one of his paintings specially made on glass to the pharmacy, which can still be admired among the pharmacy-museum counters.
In times closer to us, the ancient Cartia pharmacy was chosen by virtue of its charm, as a film set of "Commissioner Montalbano“, one of the most loved TV series by the Italian public, taken from the stories of Montalbano by the great Sicilian writer Andrea Camilleri.
Today the museum is managed by the association “Tanit Scicli” which accompanies all visitors to the ancient workshop back in time.
What else to see in Scicli
Who loves i ancient villages and fascinating and reaches Scicli for a visit to Cartia pharmacy-museum, will not be able to help but fall in love with the whole village: UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2002, populated by over 26.000 inhabitants, Scicli is truly a center full of wonders and history, in fact in the area, the first human traces found date back to the III Millennium BC or the Copper Age.
In the village, you will find ancient churches such as the Mother Church dedicated to San Guglielmo (ex Church of Sant'Ignazio di Loyola) which was built in the eighteenth century in Baroque style, but also other sacred buildings such as the Church of San Giovanni Battista with an elliptical plan or the Church of San Bartolomeo Apostolo, which dates back to the XNUMXth century.
Among the works of art that can be admired in the Churches of Scicli, we remind you of the wooden and silver statue of San Giuseppe (in the church of the same name) and the statue of the Gagini school that reproduces Santa Agrippina, kept in the Convent of the Capuchins.
In the village there are many ancient noble palaces, such as Palazzo-Bonelli Patanè, not far from the pharmacy, where we advise you to enter, to understand what it means to have an eclectic style; Palace Benevento it was defined as “the most beautiful Baroque palace in Sicily” e Palazzo Spadaro, where the ancient Cartia pharmacy is currently located, is also one of the most beautiful buildings in the village. Don't forget to stop by the City Palace, which many will recognize as the Montelusa Police Headquarters and the Vigata Commissariat of "Il Commissario Montalbano" where reality meets fantasy.
How to get to the ancient Cartia pharmacy
THEold Cartia pharmacy it is located in via Francesco Mormino Penna at no. 24 in the heart of Scicli, in the province of Ragusa.
To reach the village, visitors arriving in the car they must take the A18 Messina-Catania, to the exit for Rosolini, 22 km from the centre, and follow the signs for Scicli; who prefer to move on the train, however, can get off at Ragusa station, just 14 km away, and continue to the village by bus or shuttle.
