The Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella can trace its roots back to the Florence of 1221. In that year, Dominican friars founded the convent of Santa Maria Novella, and began to cultivate - among other things - a garden. From that same garden, many centuries of experience in pharmacopeia and natural preparations began to develop. And in later years that experience would expand to include the worlds of cosmetics, fragrances and wellness products.
Inside the convent complex of the church of Santa Maria Novella in Florence is the historic shop of the Officina which has been the heart and soul of its activities for centuries.
For 800 years, this has been the place where antique preparations, perfumes and cosmetics are created and distributed, making the shop in Via della Scala the oldest pharmacy in the world. "La Scala" is the flagship museum of the Officina Profumo Farmaceutica Santa Maria Novella.
The sacristy frescoed at the end of the fourteenth century by a pupil of Giotto, the manuscripts with the cosmetic and curative recipes developed by the apothecary friars and the original tools with which the ancient preparations were produced make "La Scala" a unique and priceless asset.
Today this place still conveys the identity of a brand that over time has been able to preserve and enhance the best qualities of Italy, Florence, and the Renaissance creativity, craftsmanship and attention to quality.