Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella is one of the oldest pharmacies in the world (located on Via della Scala).
Founded by Dominican friars shortly after 1221, the year of their arrivaI in Florence, the pharmacy used medicinal herbs grown in the monastic gardens to make medications, balms and pomades for the monks’ infirmary. The apothecary still uses the monks’ ancient recipes to this day. The space is beautiful, and so are the products, although very expensive. I was also in love with the extensive use of the SMN logo…a very lovely place to visit!
