Farmacia di Santa Maria Novella, Florence

Farmacia di Santa Maria Novella, Florence

In Italy, we're used to think of a pharmacy as a place where you're supposed to buy medicines. Well, in Florence there's a special one, worth visiting especially when you aren't ill. It goes by the name of Farmacia di Santa Maria Novella and it holds the distinction of being the oldest continuously-running pharmacy in Europe. Not only does it offer a range of medicinal products, but it also produces exceptional perfumes, rare and delightful homemade liqueurs, beauty creams, soaps, potpourri sachets, and even a remedy for fainting, all packaged in Art-Deco style with gothic lettering.

Among the offerings are refined scents, including a fragrance called "Angels of Florence" designed for women. This perfume was created in 2006 to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the devastating Arno river flood that destroyed numerous cultural treasures in Florence, including nearly a million books in the Biblioteca Nazionale. Its name remains in English as a tribute to the "angels of mud", referring to the hundreds of young foreigners who came to Florence to aid in the rescue efforts and save the city's cultural heritage.

For those seeking exquisite liqueurs, the pharmacy offers "Elisir di rose", known for its delicate flavor derived from roses, and "Alkermes", a highly alcoholic Florentine liqueur with a vibrant red color. It is said to be a secret recipe of the Medici family and is now specifically used to make the traditional Italian dessert, "zuppa inglese". Prices for these liqueurs start at 17.50 euros for the smallest bottle (100 ml).

If soap bars are what you're after, you'll find a wide selection to choose from, with numerous scents and packaging options available. Single bars of pomegranate or milk soap, weighing 200 grams each, are priced at 12 euros.

The products from Farmacia di Santa Maria Novella are highly sought-after and make for exceptional and original gifts when visiting Florence.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Florence. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Farmacia di Santa Maria Novella on Map

Sight Name: Farmacia di Santa Maria Novella
Sight Location: Florence, Italy (See walking tours in Florence)
Sight Type: Shopping

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