Santa Maria Novella is Florence's first great basilica and the principal Dominican church in the city. Though it may be, perhaps, somewhat overshadowed by the presence of the Duomo not that far away, it is still famous for its striking polychromatic façade by Alberti and work by Masaccio, Giambologna, Domenico Ghirlandaio and Michelangelo. Begun in the 13th century and finished in the 14th, it is a mixture of Gothic and Renaissance styles and was commissioned by that great patron of the arts, Giovanni di Paolo Rucellai. However, it is not just the church itself or its artistic treasures that are worth visiting for. Santa Maria Novella is also home to one of the world's oldest active pharmacies.
Today it is still popular and even produces perfumes and remedies that have become trendy in recent years. Find a luxury villa in Florence and you could experience this unique little shop for yourself!
Dominican monks began making the herbal remedies in the 13th century and the Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella still sells traditional products, alongside contemporary skin-care, oils and perfumes. It is located around the corner from the main entrance. Inside, old tools are displayed and shelves are lined with containers used for lotions and potions, lists of ingredients and the monks' recipe books, alongside the products themselves.
Dominican monks began making the herbal remedies in the 13th century and the Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella still sells traditional products, alongside contemporary skin-care, oils and perfumes. It is located around the corner from the main entrance. Inside, old tools are displayed and shelves are lined with containers used for lotions and potions, lists of ingredients and the monks' recipe books, alongside the products themselves.
In the 14th century, the Dominicans ran an infirmary in the monastery and used remedies they made themselves. A product which is still popular today was rose water which was prescribed as an antiseptic to clean houses after an outbreak of plague though it now has less important uses as a perfume or for aromatherapy. By the 16th century, the business was being run separately and rather successfully to the activities of the monks by a layman. The patronage of Catherine de' Medici ensured their success continued and they even created a new fragrance for her, Acqua della Regina (i.e. Queen's Water). In due course, Catherine's patronage proved the making of the reputation of the pharmacy at Santa Maria Novella.
However, it wasn't always smooth sailing. Worries that the monks might be getting distracted and led astray caused a brief closure in the 17th century. Then, in the 19th century, all church property was confiscated by the state. The director of the time, Damiano Beni, handed over management of the business to his nephew, a layman. He eventually bought it from the state and the family is involved in the business to this day.
Still located on-site, the pharmacy now also has branches in New York, Los Angeles and Tokyo. A nearby factory helps turn out product but much is still done by hand. Be aware that prices can be quite high and that the staff are passionate and will go on at length about products. However, the shop and adjoining museum are well worth a visit if you are in Florence.
However, it wasn't always smooth sailing. Worries that the monks might be getting distracted and led astray caused a brief closure in the 17th century. Then, in the 19th century, all church property was confiscated by the state. The director of the time, Damiano Beni, handed over management of the business to his nephew, a layman. He eventually bought it from the state and the family is involved in the business to this day.
Still located on-site, the pharmacy now also has branches in New York, Los Angeles and Tokyo. A nearby factory helps turn out product but much is still done by hand. Be aware that prices can be quite high and that the staff are passionate and will go on at length about products. However, the shop and adjoining museum are well worth a visit if you are in Florence.
Photo credits
picture 1: Sailko / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 2: Sailko / CC BY 2.5;
picture 3: Sailko / CC BY-SA 3.0
picture 1: Sailko / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 2: Sailko / CC BY 2.5;
picture 3: Sailko / CC BY-SA 3.0
