Hjorte Apotek (Copenhagen)
| Company type | Pharmacy |
|---|---|
| Industry | Pharmacy |
| Founded | December 27, 1799 in Copenhagen, Denmark |
| Defunct | June 30, 1967 |
| Headquarters | Copenhagen , Denmark |
| Products | Pharmaceuticals |
Hjorte Apotek was a pharmacy situated at Gothersgade 35 in the heart of Copenhagen, Denmark. It served the community from 1800 until it ceased operations in 1967. The structure was officially protected and entered into the Danish registry of protected buildings and places in 1964.
Early ownership and development, 1646–1800
The earliest private proprietor of the site was Anne Bentzwinger, widow of master smith Anders Bentzwinger from Holmen. In 1646, she was granted a substantial plot here as recompense for her previous garden and demolished constructions outside the Northern City Gate. Six years later, she extended the property eastwards concurrent with the establishment of Ny Kongensgade (present-day Gothersgade). Initial structures were constructed shortly thereafter.
By the mid-18th century, the property was held by siblings Hans, Susanne, and Wilchen Ribolt. Wilchen Ribolt, recognized as a court painter responsible for works at Rosenborg Castle and royal portraiture, already owned a nearby estate on Store Regnegade. In Copenhagen's 1689 cadastre, the site appeared as No. 173 within the Købmager Quarter. Around 1700, Ribolt partitioned the land into smaller lots, retaining one fronting Gothersgade. He erected his residence at the corner adjoining Store Regnegade and leased most other buildings to widow Anne Maria Heidemann.
Wilchen Ribolt succumbed during Copenhagen’s plague epidemic in 1711. His widow remarried surgeon Martin Labes, who later sold the Gothersgade estate (designated Litra G) in 1825 to Captain Claus Barfoed.
In 1728, Barfoed constructed a brick residence spanning seven bays and two stories with a basement on the northern portion of the lot; the southern section remained as garden space. The complex featured a three-story half-timbered side wing containing stables beneath, along with an extensive nine-bay rear wing equipped with several iron stoves and pumped water facilities. Barfoed resided here with his family and household staff; meanwhile, grocer Olluf Pedersen rented the basement.
The property narrowly avoided destruction during the Copenhagen Fire of 1728 due to demolition activities on adjacent buildings. This event led to legislation mandating fire insurance for all property owners.
In 1746, Barfoed transferred ownership to ribbon manufacturer Perret. Between 1752 and 1753, carpenter Jacob Larsen occupied the premises, although records do not clarify his ownership status.
By June 1753, supercargo Lyder Schilderup acquired the estate, which was recorded as No. 138 in the 1756 cadastre for Købmager Quarter. The 1787 census documents two households residing there: surgeon and Royal Academy of Surgery professor Alexander Kølpin (1731–1801) along with his staff; and tea merchant Jacob Friedrich Schlaffer with his family and lodgers.
Pharmacy era, 1800–1967
On 27 December 1799, Nicolaj Tychsen (1751–1804) obtained royal authorization to establish a pharmacy at Gothersgade 35 in Copenhagen. Although construction was finalized in 1801, pharmacy operations commenced in 1800.
Following Tychsen’s death in 1804, his widow Anna Sørine Henrikke (née Hollensen) managed the establishment until their son Johan Lorentz Tychsen assumed control in 1817. From 1842 to 1849, Constantin Johan Glahn was proprietor. The 1845 census lists Glahn residing on lower floors with family and employees alongside prominent residents such as manufacturer Lauritz Peter Holmblad and jurist Andreas Holmblad.
Subsequently, Harald Alfred Fedor Piper acquired the pharmacy and later passed it to his son Harald Georg Vilhelm Piper in 1884; he retained ownership until 1924. Later proprietors included Kjeld Ove Frandsen (1924–1930) followed by Henry Edgar Tegner, who managed it until its closure on 30 June 1967.
Architecture
This three-level structure features a facade divided into five bays. Positioned above the main doorway is a gilded statue of a reclining deer, representing the pharmacy's name, "Deer Pharmacy."
Today
The premises on the ground floor are presently occupied by a bar.
List of pharmacists
- 27 December 1799 – 8 August 1804: Nicolai Tychsen
- 8 August 1804 – 31 December 1817: Anna Sørine Henrikke (née Hollensen), widow
- 28 November 1817 – 18 November 1841: Johan Lorentz Tychsen
- 5 April 1842 – 31 March 1849: Constantin Johan Glahn
- 20 April 1849 – 31 October 1889: Harald Alfred Fedor Piper
- 9 December 1889 – 28 December 1924: Harald Georg Vilhelm Piper
- 27 March 1925 – 30 June 1930: Kjeld Ove Frandsen
- 28 April 1930 – 30 June 1967: Henry Edgar Tegner
Further reading
- Lindberg, Jirsten: Hjortens flugt fra apoteke. Historiske meddelelser om København (2002–2003)