The foundation of the first amphitheatre of the Faculty of Pharmacy in Cluj

Abstract

The Faculty of Pharmacy of Cluj was created in 1948. The first dean was
Erwin Popper (1906-1974) – professor of analytical chemistry. At the beginning of
the activity the didactic spaces in this institution were not sufficient. Consequently,
Prof. Popper tried and succeeded in solving this problem. In 1955-1957, despite
financial and economic difficulties, he succeeded in raising a new building for the
departments of Analytical Chemistry and Physical Chemistry. The most important
part of this edifice was a modern, large and elegant amphitheatre of 200 places. This
was the first lecture hall of the Faculty. The historical value of this amphitheatre was
completed in 1957 with bass relief carvings, representing important pharmacists and
chemists, such as Carol Davila, Ştefan Minovici, Constantin I. Istrati, Nicolae Teclu,
Ion Vintilescu and Gheorghe Spacu. The artistic representations of these Romanian
scientists were created by Virgil Fulicia (1907-1979) – professor of the Fine Arts
Academy in Cluj.