On May 10th 2012 Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella was honored for 400 years of uninterrupted business. The apothecary is one of the oldest in the world, selling some of its original products to this day. Dominican friars settled in Florence in the Chiesa di Santa Maria delle Vigne, which later became Santa Maria Novella. They began to cultivate a garden, growing the plants and herbs needed to prepare the medicines for the monastery's infermary. The first sale of the famous rose water is documented to have been in 1381 as a disinfectant. When Caterina de' Medici married Henri II, king of France, the monks created a special bergamot-based essence for her- the "Acqua della Regina" (Water of the Queen). This popular fragrance is still sold today. Over the years the pharmacia's shop expanded, became increasingly independant from the monastery and turned into a veritable alchemic workshop. Finally in 1612 it opened to the public.

The Officina Profumo di Santa Maria Novella with its museum is a place of extraordinary beauty and serenity. Fragrances of herbs fill each room reminding visitors of the origins of this magical store, whose products have weathered so many centuries.

Images ©Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica die Santa Maria Novella