Farmacia Santa Maria Novella
Adjacent to Piazza di Santa Maria Novella in Florence is one of the oldest pharmacies in the world, established by the Dominican friars shortly after their arrival in Florence in 1221. In their gardens, they cultivated the herbs that they needed to prepare their medications, balms and creams for the monastery’s little infirmary.
In 1612, the Grand Duke Fernando I di Medici gave the Dominican fathers permission to open the Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella. This frescoed outlet is still open today, in what was once a chapel belonging to the Dominican Monastery of Santa Maria Novella. Its modest sign near the door the only indication of what one will find inside since there is no display window. Once inside, pestles, scales and measures once used by the monks are still in their cabinets among the ancient Florentine bottles.
The essences of FARMACIA SANTA MARIA NOVELLA, as well as the famous perfumes are all make with herbs and flowers from the hills of Florence and according to the formulas studied in 1500 for Caterina de’ Medici. Herbal formulas have regained their ancient reputation as treatments for diverse health and beauty problems.
The Acqua di Rose, rose water which is excellent for tired red eyes, has been on sale since the second half of the fourteenth century. Other favourites include the perfumed powders produced from the ground rhizome of the iris, the flower which is the symbol of Florence. There are soaps made from irises, almond soaps and pomegranate soaps for delicate skin and mint soaps to keep the mosquitoes away. These are all packed by hand in special wrapping with the beautiful logo which has been used for centuries.
