It all began in 1533: Caterina de'Medici was about to marry and be crowned Queen of France. She asked the Dominican Friars of the Officina to create a special essence.
Friar Angiolo Marchissi
the first director
Friar Angiolo Marchissi
the first director
The Officina opened to the public in 1612. Friar Marchissi, the first director, came up with the formula of the renowned Balsamite-based Acqua Antisterica, today's Acqua di Santa Maria Novella Elisir..
The Ancient Apothecary, 1612 - The Ancient Apothecary, today
The Ancient Apothecary, 1612 - The Ancient Apothecary, today
The renewal
of the Apothecary
In the age of Enlightenment, everything was changing. The Dominican friars were also keen to renovate the look of the ancient apothecary, the heart of their sales network.
Newly appointed director, he successfully opposed the Napoleonic suppressions and laid the foundations for an extensive renewal of the Officina.
Sales Hall, 1300 - Sales Hall, today
Sales Hall, 1300 - Sales Hall, today
The new Grand Sales Hall
Damiano Beni, responsible for carrying out the extensive renovation project envisioned by Friar Tommaso Valori, turned the former chapel of San Niccolò into the Grand Sales Hall we know today.
An eminent character of Florence, he was miraculously healed in 1335 by the friars of the Officina. To express his gratitude he funded the construction of the Chapel of San Niccolò, of which only the frescoed Sacristy remains.
Sacristy, 1300 - Water's Room, 1600
Sacristy, 1300 - Water's Room, 1600
The Waters Room
From 1600 to 1848, the Sacristy of the old Chapel of San Niccolo (today's Sales Hall) was used to store the products of the distillation of plants and roses. The 2012 restoration truly made this room shine.
The Tea Room
The large room adjacent to the Green Room, today dedicated to refreshments for visitors, housed traditional equipment for more than two centuries, and it was there that all the Officina’s products were created.
produced by OFFICINA PROFUMO-FARMACEUTICA DI SANTA MARIA NOVELLA S.P.A. creative director and photography SAMUELE MANCINI illustrations ALBANA ABBENDA development FRANCESCO TANGANELLI soundtrack MARIA SOCCI graphic designer MARCO ROSSI PACCANI editor ARTUR PERRELLA GLIKHOVSKYY english editor DAVIDE DE NISI video MATTEO GARZI, SEBASTIAN ANNOSCIA, SAMUELE MANCINI