You may be asking “Why would I be interested in a pharmacy?” I’m sure you would be interested in this gorgeous one in Florence. It was founded by Dominican friars around 1221 when they arrived in Florence. They used medicinal herbs grown in the monastic gardens to create medications and balms. News of the quality of the products eventually got about and in 1612 the pharmacy was opened to the public under the leadership of Father Angiolo Marchissi.
It is not particularly easy to find as the entrance at 16 Via della Scala is not all that obvious. Look for the blue awning and the recessed door is nearby.
look for the blue awning
the slightly hidden doorway
The first thing you will notice when you walk in is the heavenly smell. Follow your nose into this beautiful place.
the entrance
the main room
the ceiling
detail on the ceiling
the second room
the ceiling in the herb room
an old shelf
in the library
the ceiling in the library
beautiful old jars
a favourite
one of the old reference books
old things
a lovely old bottle
old preparations
a room full of old equipment
an old press
It is free to enter the pharmacy, but you may not leave empty handed. There is a large range of beautiful products that are famous the world over for their quality and lovely fragrance. I’m glad I finally tracked the pharmacy down.
Can you buy a jar of leeches there?
By: Richard Tulloch on June 22, 2011
at 6:44 am
I didn’t see any, but you can investigate when you go to Florence.
By: bagnidilucca on June 22, 2011
at 6:50 am
What an amazing place!
By: Anna Harrison on June 22, 2011
at 6:46 am
It is a lovely place, I’m sure you would love it.
By: bagnidilucca on June 22, 2011
at 6:53 am
What an intriguing place. Love it.
By: Liz Golding on June 22, 2011
at 7:21 am
It is worth going for the smell alone.
By: bagnidilucca on June 22, 2011
at 7:50 am
Can’t wait to visit this interesting old pharmacy, a little older than any I have worked in……..
By: kirsi sade on June 22, 2011
at 7:22 am
You will love it!
By: bagnidilucca on June 22, 2011
at 7:49 am
So what did you buy?? I love their products.
By: mary d on June 22, 2011
at 7:26 am
I love their soaps and buy them regularly,
By: bagnidilucca on June 22, 2011
at 7:48 am
So pleased you photographed this, went there years ago when they said they may have to close, or not export due to the strict new European regulations. I have bought the white packaged soaps in the past. Obviously they did not have to close and maybe the products have had the prices raised to comply with the guidelines. Did you buy any products.
By: Roz on June 22, 2011
at 7:27 am
I love the soaps the best.
By: bagnidilucca on June 22, 2011
at 7:51 am
It looks like a museum – what an extraordinary place. I must admit I love visiting pharmacies in other countries, they are so very different from the ones here. Beautiful post of a unique setting, thank you for sharing this Debra 😉
By: Joanna @ Zeb Bakes on June 22, 2011
at 8:34 am
It is beautiful and you can see the lovely gardens of the Santa Maria Novella church through some of the windows.
By: bagnidilucca on June 22, 2011
at 8:59 am
What a beautiful place! Thank you for the wonderful photos. I especially loved the detailed ceilings!
By: margieinitaly on June 22, 2011
at 9:00 am
Did you visit when you were in Florence?
By: bagnidilucca on June 22, 2011
at 9:02 am
Fascinating – is it now a perfumery? Such wonderful old things in there! Thanks for taking photos for us, Deb!
By: Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial on June 22, 2011
at 9:06 am
They sell several perfumes, some from old recipes. The products are available around the world. I have seen some here in Australia, but there is nothing like going into the original shop.
By: bagnidilucca on June 22, 2011
at 9:12 am
THAT is a pharmacy? Now I would not have guessed that. That ceiling is amazing.
By: Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella on June 22, 2011
at 9:09 am
It is a great spot to spend some time – and money – in Florence.
By: bagnidilucca on June 22, 2011
at 9:13 am
Excellent recommendation and photos, as usual. I may add another pharmacy to visit in Florence that started operating in the 16th Century and also sells a fabulous line of beauty products, SS Annunziata on Via dei Servi.
http://www.farmaciassannunziata1561.it/
While you are visiting the area, do not forget to go and see the “Ospedale degli Innocenti”, a masterpiece by Brunelleschi, which marks the transition between the Gothic and Renaissance architectural styles
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ospedale_degli_Innocenti
By: Mulino Dominillo on June 22, 2011
at 10:13 am
I have been to the Ospedale degli Innocenti and it is wonderful. I must go back and get some photos. I will also visit the other pharmacy, thank you for the suggestion.
By: bagnidilucca on June 22, 2011
at 10:31 am
I seriously love your blog! I’m pretty much researching places to visit in Italy from your blog!
By: ashleypaige4 on June 22, 2011
at 2:01 pm
Thank you for the compliment. I hope you love Italy as much as I do.
By: bagnidilucca on June 22, 2011
at 9:03 pm
What a place!
By: maru on June 22, 2011
at 2:37 pm
I take everybody I know here and so far everybody has been impressed.
By: bagnidilucca on June 22, 2011
at 9:04 pm
Even the name of it sounds grand, “John’s Chemist” doesn’t quite have the same ring.
What a stunning place.
By: cityhippyfarmgirl on June 22, 2011
at 8:28 pm
It sounds even better with an Italian accent.
By: bagnidilucca on June 22, 2011
at 9:05 pm
Oh, how lovely! I was looking for an elderly gentleman with an embroidered, velvet smoking jacket and embroidered, tasselled cap to match. It’s the stuff of magical tales isn’t it.
By: Jan on June 22, 2011
at 11:52 pm
You will need to go to Florence to see him.
By: bagnidilucca on June 22, 2011
at 11:56 pm
Last time I visited was in May this year. When I go to Florence with Deb we make this a must stop destination. I always buy a rose candle. It is shaped like a rose, pale pink and when you light it the whole room smells of beautiful roses. A must have.
By: Liz on June 23, 2011
at 12:21 pm
How beautiful! I don’t know why regular pharmacies have to be so bright and clinical.
By: lisa@notesfromafrica on June 24, 2011
at 7:31 am
It is a gorgoeus building, I go whenever I am in Florence just to look.
By: bagnidilucca on June 24, 2011
at 8:37 am
Oh my goodness. This completely exceeds my expectations. I must go see it! Thank you so much for this post. I have a friend who bought cologne there, and I have been trying to track some down for myself.
By: The Daily Cure on June 24, 2011
at 7:42 am
There are shops in Lucca and Forte dei Marmi that sell the products. I would be surprised if there wasn’t something in Milan.
By: bagnidilucca on June 24, 2011
at 8:38 am
[…] interior of the pharmacy is beautiful and it always smells heavenly in there. Click here for […]
By: A day in Florence « Bagni di Lucca and Beyond on August 11, 2011
at 10:56 pm
A weary traveler could greatly benefit from knowing about this fragrant universe just 5 minutes away from the Santa Maria Novella train station.The elixirs, essences, distillations and powders have remained world famous over the centuries and inhaling their aromas is like breathing in Renaissance Italy.
By: Pamela Marasco on August 15, 2011
at 2:26 pm
It can be a bit hard to find the first time, but it is worth the trouble.
By: bagnidilucca on August 15, 2011
at 8:01 pm
Oh….I didn’t even know such a place existed! I am so going there next time!
By: Damommachef on August 15, 2011
at 9:46 pm
It is lovely, I’m sure you will like it.
By: bagnidilucca on August 15, 2011
at 10:01 pm
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By: complemento alimenticios on October 11, 2012
at 11:55 am