Tuscany: Old Pharmacy, Ferragamo Museo and More, Florence, Italy
I鈥檝e had a wonderful morning of exploration in an area of Florence slightly away from what鈥檚 become my 鈥榰sual鈥� walk through the city. I鈥檇 read about the Officina Profumo Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella, a 13th century pharmacy founded by Dominican monks in 1221 shortly after their arrival in Florence. It鈥檚 one of the oldest pharmacies in the world. The monks grew medicinal herbs in the monastic gardens for their infirmary. They developed perfumes too and in 1553 created 鈥楢qua di Santa Maria Novella鈥� perfume for Caterina de Medici. So successful were their products that the pharmacy was opened to the public in 1612.
Entry is free and from the moment you go through the lovely doorway the whole place is a wonder and delight to the eyes. It鈥檚 simply beautiful.
Everyone was so friendly and helpful and I was invited to try spraying a little of that perfume first made in the 16th century on me. Its light, citrusy smell was gorgeous and ideal for summer 鈥� but I decided against paying 鈧�80 to take a bottle home! ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).
Entry is free and from the moment you go through the lovely doorway the whole place is a wonder and delight to the eyes. It鈥檚 simply beautiful.
Everyone was so friendly and helpful and I was invited to try spraying a little of that perfume first made in the 16th century on me. Its light, citrusy smell was gorgeous and ideal for summer 鈥� but I decided against paying 鈧�80 to take a bottle home! ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).
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Guide Name: Tuscany: Old Pharmacy, Ferragamo Museo and More
Guide Location: Italy » Florence
Guide Type: Self-guided Walking Tour (Article (B))
Author: Kay Gale
Read it on Author's Website:
Sight(s) Featured in This Guide:
Guide Location: Italy » Florence
Guide Type: Self-guided Walking Tour (Article (B))
Author: Kay Gale
Read it on Author's Website:
Sight(s) Featured in This Guide:
- Officina Profumo Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella
- Salvatore Ferragamo Museo
- Mercato Centrale
- SimBIOsi
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