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All Italy Florence Santa Maria Novella Pharmacy

Santa Maria Novella Pharmacy

The oldest operating pharmacy in the world features 800-year-old recipes.

Florence, Italy

Added By
Michelle Enemark
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Apothecary jars in main room   Jerry McGlothen
Apothecary jars in main room   Jerry McGlothen
Fescoes in Library   Jerry McGlothen
Signage isn’t low-key any more   chiaras / Atlas Obscura User
  4n8ygccfwv / Atlas Obscura User
  4n8ygccfwv / Atlas Obscura User
Santa Maria Novella Pharmacy   jeanlikestotravel / Atlas Obscura User
  RachelCassidy / Atlas Obscura User
Santa Maria Novella Pharmacy   jeanlikestotravel / Atlas Obscura User
Santa Maria Novella Pharmacy   jeanlikestotravel / Atlas Obscura User
Santa Maria Novella Pharmacy   jeanlikestotravel / Atlas Obscura User
Looks more like the cosmetics counter at a department store   chiaras / Atlas Obscura User
No longer a low-key entrance   chiaras / Atlas Obscura User
October 2019   chiaras / Atlas Obscura User
Most historic items are decorations for their tea shop   chiaras / Atlas Obscura User
Santa Maria Novella Pharmacy   jeanlikestotravel / Atlas Obscura User
Santa Maria Novella Pharmacy   jeanlikestotravel / Atlas Obscura User
  4n8ygccfwv / Atlas Obscura User
Entrance - Santa Maria Novella Pharmacy   jeanlikestotravel / Atlas Obscura User
  RachelCassidy / Atlas Obscura User
Santa Maria Novella Pharmacy   jeanlikestotravel / Atlas Obscura User
Soap selection   nanpalmero / Atlas Obscura User
Santa Maria Novella Pharmacy   jeanlikestotravel / Atlas Obscura User
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About

The Santa Maria Novella Pharmacy is probably the oldest still-operating pharmacy in the world, and certainly the oldest in Italy. It was established in 1221, when the Dominican monks from the adjacent Basilica of Santa Maria Novella began growing herbs to make balms, salves and medicines for their infirmary. The superior quality of their products became widely known, and in the 17th century, the pharmacy opened its doors to the public.

Today the pharmacy still uses the traditional preparation methods, and still carries products using the original recipes of the monks. Especially of note is the Aceto dei Sette Ladri, or "Seven Thieves Vinegar." These smelling salts got their unusual name from a band of seven men who robbed corpses during the plague. They were said to have doused themselves in the strong vinegar to protect themselves from the plague (bad smells, or "miasma," were believed to be the cause of illness.)

Another specialty of the pharmacy is their production of Carta D'Armenia ("Armenian Paper") since at least the 16th century. It's a paper incense which is soaked in a mixture of infusions of resins and oriental spices, and burns without a flame, scenting the air.

The pharmacy itself is housed in the extraordinary original building, the rooms of which are complete with vaulted ceilings, ornate gilding, frescoes, walnut cabinetry, glass-stoppered decanters full of colorful potions, marble floors, glass-stained windows, bronze statues, and antique apothecary scales and mortars.

There is also a small museum, with somewhat irregular hours, which features antique terra-cotta apothecary jars, however the best antiques are already on display in the shop itself.

The staff are able to answer questions and provide suggestions based on your preferences.  There are product lists in a wide variety of languages, and a large computerized display allows customers to explore the offerings and read the history of each product. They will want to educate you one by one on each scent of cologne, with all the different subtle notes, like wine.  The soaps are easier to view and smell; the violet soap is a particular treat.  The prices are very high but so is the quality.  It's worth a visit to see the interior alone–it was a former papal residence and is ornate and lovely.

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Community Contributors

Added By

michelle

Edited By

AWilsey, rdenys, Molly McBride Jacobson, armeniapedia...

  • AWilsey
  • rdenys
  • Molly McBride Jacobson
  • armeniapedia
  • jerryott
  • RachelCassidy
  • nanpalmero
  • chiaras
  • 4n8ygccfwv
  • jeanlikestotravel

Published

June 18, 2010

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  • https://buy.smnovella.com/index.php/carta-d-armenia-scatolina.html
  • https://www.aedes.com/products/carta-darmenia-armenian-burning-paper-box-of-18-santa-maria-novella
Santa Maria Novella Pharmacy
Via della Scala 16
Florence, 50123
Italy
43.773567, 11.24835
Visit Website
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