Officina Profumo - Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella

About Officina Profumo - Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella

Get the inside scoop on Officina Profumo - Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella from local experts, travel creators, and tastemakers. Browse genuine trip notes, Officina Profumo - Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella reviews, photos, travel guides, and itineraries from real travelers and plan your trip with confidence.

What people say

"The Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella is a perfumery and herbalist shop in Florence, in Tuscany in central Italy. It is not a pharmacy and does not sell medicines, but is sometimes described as "the oldest pharmacy in the world". Its origins can be traced back to the Dominican monastery of Santa Maria Novella and the mediaeval medicines created by the monks. A retail operation was established in Via Reginaldo Giuliani in 1612 by Fra Angiolo Marchissi, becoming famous over the coming centuries for the quality and salubrious benefits of its products, ranging from perfumes, pot pourri and toiletries, to liqueurs, medicinal balms, and foods. It remained in the ownership of the Church of Santa Maria Novella until 1866, when the property was confiscated by the Kingdom of Italy and sold to a private owner. Since the 1990s Santa Maria Novella's retail operations have expanded rapidly to include locations in every major Italian city, and 75 shops throughout the world, in countries including the United States, Panama, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and South Africa."
"Touristy but visiting their main location is an absolute must (via della Scala 16). The oldest pharmacy in Florence and their flagship location is like a museum in its own right. They are know for their fragrances and ā€œAcqua Della Reginaā€ being their famous one apparently made for Catherine di Medici, hence the name Queens Water. Personally, it wasnā€™t my favorite scent so I went with a different one, but they have really unique fragrances and use them to create soaps, candles, etc. in addition to perfume so its a great place to get some gifts as well. Tip: when you are cashing out you can ask for samples of other fragrances. They donā€™t advertise it but Iā€™ll thank the German couple behind me in line that were talking about it and clearly did their research. It worked - so if you want to take some mini extras home, just ask!"
Jennifer Magana
"Founded by Dominican monks in the 13th century, this is the oldest pharmacy in the world. The interior shows Renaissance architectural details like vaulted ceilings, mosaic floors and shelves lined with glass apothecary jars. Shop perfumes, herbal remedies, and skincare products in vintage-style packaging."

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Spending some time in beautiful Florence? This is a complete list that provides you with a handful of options: accommodation, tourist attractions, shops, bars and restaurants - youā€™ll need no other guide, I promise! Soā€¦have a bite and a drink alongside Arno river and take home the most impressive bespoke souvenirs. The city is walkable and it blends art and history and romantic vibes all together and pretty soon youā€™ll find yourself in love. šŸ’“ Must do - trips to picturesque towns located nearby: ā€¢ San Gimignano: 1h away ā€¢ Siena: 1h10 away ā€¢ Volterra: 1h20 away Highlights: āšœļø Il Giglio - giglio bottonato, is mainly known from the crest of the city of Florence. In the Florentine fleurs-de-lis, the stamens are always posed between the petals. This is also the emblem of the city and you shall see it depicted all over. šŸØ Gelato ā€œcrema fiorentinaā€ - is the specific flavor of Florence, made with a simple combination of egg yolks, milk, and sugar. It is often flavored with chestnut honey, while another common addition includes crumbled amaretti cookies or almond liqueur. It is a neutral ice cream flavor with delicate pale-yellow color. šŸ§ Affogato - a delightful and simple Italian dessert or beverage that combines two beloved elements: espresso and gelato or ice cream. The word "affogato" in Italian means "drowned," and that perfectly describes the preparation of this delicious treat. The basic affogato recipe involves pouring a hot, freshly brewed espresso over a scoop of cold gelato or ice cream. The hot espresso contrasts with the cold and creamy gelato, resulting in a harmonious and satisfying flavour combination. šŸ„© Bistecca alla fiorentina - Italian steak made of young steer (vitellone) or heifer (scottona) that, combined with the specific preparation, makes it one of the most popular dishes of Tuscan cuisine. šŸ· "Buchette del vino" - or wine windows, are a peculiar feature of Florence. They are foot-high, dome-shaped holes in the thick, stone palazzi of the Renaissance city that six centuries ago were used to sell wine in a fiasco (glass bottle) without having to open a shop and avoid paying taxes. These wine windows also posed a useful anti-contagion way to sell wine during the epidemic of 1630-1633. At that time, the bubonic plague hit Florence hard, killing 12% of the city's population.
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