Santa Maria Novella Pharmacy Florence: The Officina Profumo Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella in Florence, Italy is a place I had heard much about but had not visited on previous trips to Florence. I put it near the top of my wish-list when I returned to Florence, and it exceeded my expectations, not just because of its magnificent interior, but also because of its historical significance. Plus, my grandfather and great-grandfather were pharmacists, but their idea of “pharmacy” was much different from the historic Santa Maria Novella Pharmacy.
Where is the Santa Maria Novella Pharmacy?
You can find the officina by walking down the street that runs along the left side of Piazza Santa Maria Novella (left if you are facing the church). The pharmacy is within easy walking distance of the train station and even the Palazzo Vecchio area. It’s right behind the Santa Maria Novella church, which is also worth a stop, especially if you love art.
The Officina Profumo Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella is located at Via della Scala, 16, on the right side of the street.
First, you walk down a beautiful hallway before turning to enter the Santa Maria Novella pharmacy shop and museum.
The first room is called the Sales Room. Here you can pick up an informational pamphlet and ask staff about the products that the Officina Profumo Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella sells.
Read more: How to Spend 3 Days in Florence
What is the history of the Santa Maria Novella Pharmacy?
This “pharmaceutical workshop” was established around the year 1221 by Domenican monks of the neighboring Santa Maria Novella church. At that time, the pharmacy specialized in medicinal herbs and medications. Later it began producing perfumes, including “acqua della regina,” a perfume essence made just for Catherine de’ Medici, Queen of France.
The pharmacy was opened to the public in 1612 and since then has served the Florentine population by selling medicinal herbs, remedies, body and face creams, and perfumes. Their products are also available for purchase online, and their market has expanded to be global.
The pharmacy is now a luxurious shop and “museum of tradition.” While it is no longer run by the Domenican monks, many of the same recipes and natural ingredients (and no animal testing) are used to produce high-quality items. The pharmacy is part of Florence’s strong bespoke heritage, which honors the careful and traditional production of goods of the highest quality.
All the rooms have been beautifully restored and are decorated with ornate ceilings, chandeliers, and historic artifacts.
How can I visit the Officina Profumo Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella?
The officina is free and open every day 10:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Visitors are welcome just to look around and ask questions; there is no obligation to buy, but trust me, it’s hard to resist if the sales assistant starts letting you sample products and explains the history behind them!
If pamphlets are available, take one so that you can learn more about the history of this very special historic pharmacy.
Keep in mind that this is a real business, so making videos or posing for photographs may not be considered appropriate during your visit.
You can read more about this historic pharmacy in my article for Travel Mindset, and visit the officina‘s official website here.
And you? Have you visited the Santa Maria Novella Pharmacy Florence before? What luxurious or historical shops have you visited around the world?
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Wow. It really looks beautiful. Italy is known for its grand buildings of arts and architecture. This one is just one of them. Thanks for sharing your experience. 🙂
Yes, I’ve been there! I bought toothpaste, which is a weird kind of addiction for me. I collect toothpaste. I just bought three new kinds yesterday in Montreal, one from Italy! However, when I was in the Santa Maria Novella it was so dark I could hardly see, which it doesn’t look like in your photos. Maybe they had the lights off for a reason that day?
Thanks for sharing, Carol! Hmm, interesting about the light. I have no idea. It was not at all dark in there, and there was plenty of natural light coming in the rooms, too. In fact, I didn’t use some photos because there was strong natural light coming from the windows that was too distracting to the image.
I can’t believe I missed this gorgeous pharmacy on my many stays in Florence! Most in italy are much less interesting! I do love the pharmacies in France most, when we visited, I wouldn’t miss the opportunity to pick up the evian spritz can French women use on their face. That was many yrs ago, so not sure if it is still sold… But I imagine the french pharmacies still hold amany of the secrets of French beauty.
I want to visit the French pharmacies now that you’ve told me about them. And about this one…it will have to be on your list for next time! I was lucky because there weren’t many people when I visited and the sales assistant was very friendly.
Oops, mistyped my web site!
What an insanely gorgeous and interesting place!
Thanks, Andi. “Insanely gorgeous” is not a bad way to put it!
I am sure to visit this pharmacy whenever I visit Florence! Thanks for sharing such an unique post!
I was so happy to discover this place a few years ago. I’ve been telling everybody who is planning on going to Florence about it. With the exterior being so ordinary, it’s easy to miss. Thanks for sharing your experience.
I agree, it’s a must for any visit to Florence.
One of those places that you will walk right past if you don’t know it’s there. My daughter loves the rose water, their original product. A wonderful place for buying a gift.
I tried that rose water when I was there. It and the other products from old recipes are so interesting–a different fragrance from what has become popular in recent years, I think.
Very cool! Interesting how monks started the pharmacy – monks seem to be behind all things good from beer & wine to pharmaceuticals.
Love the architecture too – I could spend hours shopping here.
Murissa
This is one of my favorite posts of your’s 🙂
Thanks, Kate!
So interesting. I wish I had known about this place when I was visiting Florence in November. It looks fantastic!! Amazing photos.
I think you would really like it since you like all things luxurious. Put it on your list for next time!
A really, really cool place. Sharing this with the in-laws who goes to Italy every year. It sounds like a place they’d enjoy.
I have been to Florence a few times but never visited this place…a good reason to go back!
There are plenty more reasons to go back to Florence, IMO 🙂
Wow–that’s a ‘highly decorated’ pharmacy! I love poking around pharmacies in Italy; even the smallest, and most modern, ones always have a stash of intriguing botanical products. Terrific photos, Jenna.
Hi Jenna! I love your blog (I found it from “girl in florence”). This post is wonderful. I go nuts for unlikely places that are insanely beautiful (libraries, metro stations, cafes and…well…even cemeteries!). Anyway….love pics!
Hi Diana,
Thanks for stopping by! I am off to check out your site now. And yes, there are plenty of unlikely places with insanely beautiful interiors in Italy, aren’t there?