You Too Can Smell Like Catherine de’ Medici

I had for several years known about the Officina Profumo Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella.  I knew about it in its historic context because of its association with the namesake Basilica, and as a current purveyor of high quality beauty products and perfumes.  But, I had never taken the time to search it out.  Recently, I read a NYTimes article about a new profumo near Santa Croce, AquaFlor, selling quality perfumes and products, soaps, candles, etc. using the fragrances.  My interest sparked, I visited.  It’s wonderful and I recommend you stop by.

Now, having visited the newest shop, my curiosity was peaked and I decided it was time to visit the oldest shop.  The address is just down the street from where I’m blogging in the afternoon and I had passed it many times without even knowing.  I wasn’t surprised I’d never seen it when I finally arrived at their door.  Not unlike AquaFlor, it’s entrance is, by Florentine standards, reasonably ordinary and obscure.

Let me share with you a little of its history which I paraphrase from their brochure and shopping list.

In 1200

The Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella was founded by Dominican friars, an order devoted to poverty and charity, shortly after 1221, the year of their arrivaI in Florence.  The pharmacy used medicinal herbs grown in the monastic gardens to make medications, balms and pomades for the monks’ infirmary.

In 1600

In 1612,  due to the renown of its products, the pharmacy was opened to the public under direction of Father Angiolo Marchissi.  It was called His Royal Highness’ Foundry (Fonderia di Sua Altezza Reale) under the Grand Duke’s royal endorsement.

In 1700

Knowledge of its quality products and the excellence of the formulae developed by the  monks continued to spread during the 18th century as far as Russia, the Indies and China.

In 1800

In 1886, the church’s property was confiscated by the newly formed Italian Republic and the pharmacy became a government owned business.  After some time, ownership was obtained by Cesare Augusto Stefani, the nephew of the last monastic director.  The family acquired the name, the goodwill and the assets of the company and has run the business for over four generations.

Today

The company is led by Eugenio Alphandery today and perpetuates the ancient traditions of herbalism started by the 13th century Dominican monks and their followers. Using only natural raw materials of the highest quality and basing all its preparations on traditional herbs and oils, the pharmacy is dedicate to the herbalist’s art. The vast majority of the herbs are grown locally in the Tuscan hills around Florence.  There is no product testing on animals.

Acqua della Regina

An article in the Smithsonian Magazine, February 2008 entitled “Heaven Scent” says this about the Pharmacy’s most famous and important customer, Catherine de’ Medici:  “The operation’s manufacture of perfumes was apparently key to winning the allegiance of its most famous customer, Catherine de’ Medici.”  The famous Catherine was born in Florence in 1519, and wed to Henry, Duke of Orleans, the future king of France at 14.  The pharmacy created a new fragrance exclusively for her, Acqua della Regina. 

You too can smell like Catherine de’ Medici.  Acqua della Regina is today available to the public as Eau de Cologne Classica!