Amidst the growing wave of closures of emblematic stores in the center of Barcelona, one positive piece of news stands out on the horizon: the reopening of the Herboristería del Rei.
With more than 200 years of service to the people of Barcelona, this historic establishment reopened its doors to the public on July 21, 2023.
The store, founded in 1818, is one of the oldest in the city and boasts a rich cultural heritage. In 1857, Queen Isabel II granted its founder, José Vilà, the titles of “Herbolario de Cámara de S.M. la Reina” and “Proveedor de la Casa Real”.
The store’s design is a masterpiece of the painter and theater set designer Francesc Soler y Rovirosa, who decorated the store with nineteenth-century and Elizabethan elements, leaving a unique and unmistakable stamp.
La Herboristería del Rei: a historic treasure reopens its doors in Barcelona
After closing its doors in September 2021 due to disagreements over the rental price, the Herboristería del Rei has undergone interior renovations, following municipal regulations.
Thanks to its status as an Asset of Local Cultural Interest (BCIL), the store recovers its essence as the oldest herbalist’s shop in Catalonia.
The new owner, Pavlinka Doroshenko, has announced that the store will continue its traditional business, but will also become a museum for visitors to appreciate and learn about its rich history.
The Herbolari del Rei is much more than a store, it is a living testimony of the city’s past, and with its reopening, a priceless cultural legacy is preserved.
Barcelonians and tourists will have the opportunity to marvel once again at the exquisite decoration of the premises, including the impressive central marble fountain, designed by the Italian Baratta Rossi brothers.
The community is excited about this news and it is hoped that the Herboristería del Rei will once again be a meeting point for those who wish to know and experience a piece of Barcelona’s history.
It is a reminder of the importance of protecting and valuing the city’s historic heritage, and the rebirth of this historic treasure is a ray of hope amidst the challenges facing traditional commerce in the heart of the city.
What can you buy in La Herboristería del Rei?
Discover the historic store founded in 1823, whose interiors dazzle with their exquisite decoration. With more than 200 varieties of dried herbs for various uses, this place is a paradise for nature and tradition lovers.
It also offers local treasures such as Spanish honey, essential oils, natural cosmetics, tea, spices, handmade soaps and selected wines.
And how can we forget it, if this charming corner was chosen as the setting for the movie “Perfume: The Story of a Murderer”.
Where is the Herboristería del Rei?
