My Creative Cup of Tea

March 23, 2022

#MCCOTPlacetoVisit {1}

The Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica Santa Maria Novella

Florence

Italy

The Tuscan City of Florence is one of the most beautiful cities in the World. Thanks to the powerful and wealthy Medici Family, Florence played a major role into the Italian Rinascimento and spread cultural and artistic vibes all around the world. Among the numerous Florentine tourist treasures to discover, in the historic center which belongs to the UNESCO World Heritage, there is a 801-year-old institution located in Via della Scala, 16, to absolutely visit: the Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica Santa Maria Novella. It was founded in 1221 by Domenican Friars, founders of the Convent of Santa Maria Novella. The latter began to coltivate a garden and started to develop natural preparations based on essential principles of aromatic plants to cure people. They cured merchant Dardano Acciaioli in 1332 who, gratefuly, decided to finance the construction of the Chapel San Niccolo', which is nowaday the Great Sales Hall. The officina which took its current name in 1612 and became Foundry of His Royal Highness, produces and sales cosmetics, fragrances, scented waters (since 1381) and wellness products. Its most iconic and its oldest fragrance is "Acqua della Regina" ("The Queen's water"). It is an homage to the gift of love that Caterina dei Medici brought to France in 1533 when she married Henry II of Valois, the future King. It has a fresh and citrusy bouquet. All the visitors can also enjoy the magnificence of the Sacristy , also called the "Room of Waters" and the garden located near the Villa Petraia, inaugurated in 2014.