The Ancient Pharmaceutical Workshop of Santa Maria Novella is part of the convent complex of the same-named Church. Its origins date back to 1381 when the Dominican friars began to use rose water, grown in their garden, as a disinfectant during periods of epidemic.
The current Workshop dates back to the 17th century, inaugurated by Grand Duke Ferdinando II de’ Medici. Inside, among ancient measuring instruments, such as thermometers and scales, are displayed mortars and pharmacy jars used in the processing of herbs and natural flowers. Its beautiful antique furnishings offer a wide range of natural products whose fragrance can be tested.
Here, the art of perfumery intertwines with centuries of history and tradition. Among these stands out the Acqua della Regina, the oldest fragrance of the Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella created by Renato Bianco in 1533 as a wedding gift to Catherine de’ Medici, the future bride of the King of France, and by her brought to her new royal residence.
Guided tour of the Ancient Pharmaceutical Workshop of Santa Maria Novella: live a truly Florentine experience!
The guided tour of the Pharmaceutical Workshop of Santa Maria Novella lasts 2 hours and every detail tells a story of ancient wisdom and refined elegance.
The current Sales Room, then the chapel of the convent, is decorated with a beautiful frescoed cross-vaulted ceiling depicting the 4 continents, a symbol of the Pharmacy’s worldwide fame. Its neo-Gothic style cabinets display the products used by the Workshop for the production of its fragrances. Adjacent to the hall is the so-called Green Room, dating back to the 1300s, formerly used as a distillation furnace room and equipped with stoves.
The Hall of the Ancient Spice Maker, former sales room, is surmounted by a magnificent 18th century ceiling richly decorated with stucco where, inside, inlaid cabinets from the 17th century are displayed.
The Sacristy, once a room used for the storage of distilled water, still retains frescoed walls with scenes of the Passion dating back to the 14th and 15th.
