Old pharmacy

The Old Dispensary, also known as Ithnasheri Dispensary, is an iconic historic attraction building in Stone Town. Located along Mizingani Road, opposite the main entrance to Zanzibar’s ferry terminal, the building is close to the Mizingani Seafront Hotel and the Palace Museum. It is called the Old Dispensary because it served as a dispensary in the first half of the 20th century.

The dispensary features decorations that symbolize Stone Town’s multicultural architecture and heritage. The wooden carved balconies, adorned with stained glass decorations, have a distinct Indian influence. The primary structure is made of traditional Zanzibari coral rag and limestone, but embellished with stucco decorations that reflect the European neoclassical aesthetic. In the old pharmacy, you can learn the history of pharmacy and some history about the Zanzibar Islands.