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Officina Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella
Florence
In 1221, Dominican Monks of the Santa Maria Novella Basilica used to cultivate medicinal herbs to prepare balms and ointments for their convent infirmary. In 1612 the Pharmacy of Santa Maria Novella was open to sell this unique production also to the public. In the 18th century its famous products had already reached other countries like Russia and China. In 1866 the management of the Pharmacy enterprise passed from the Church to a layman, Cesare Augusto Stefani. Today the scents and products of the Farmaceutica Santa Maria Novella are known and sold in the best specialty stores all over the world. Here you can visit both the amazing rooms of their shop and the Museum with the first instruments used by the monks to produce the oils, the pomades and fragrances. Today their production is still made following the ancient processes used by the monks mixed with technology of our times and using still the highest quality raw materials.
Farmaceutica Santa Maria Novella products range from cosmetic to home fragrances and candles to herbal liqueurs, candies, chocolate, fruit jellys and honey and the latest pets care products.
Opening Hours
Shop: 9:30am to 7:30pm, open every day.
Museum: 10:30am to 7:00pm - free admittance