Santa Maria
Novella is one of the oldes pharmacies in the world. Starting out with
cultivating and growing herbs which they needed to prepare medications, balms
and creams for the monastery's little infirmary. In 1612 when their products
gained renowny even in foreign countries, it was decided that the pharmacy should be opened to the public.
In the 18th century, thanks to the efficacy of
the many formulas used, the fame of the pharmacy spread as far as Russia, the
Indies and distant China. Subsequent to the Italian government's confiscation
of church property, in 1866 the activity passed into the hands of the state,
which rented it out to Cesare Augusto Sefani, nephew of the last Dominican director of the Officina. Stefani aquired the name and the property, and since
then four generations of the same family have owned and managed the Officina
Farmaceutica.
Presently under the direction of Eugenio Alphandery, the
tradition is being carried on with unaltered success. Production is limited and
is meticulously controlled. Only the highest quality natural ingrediens are
used, and the procedures continue the founding father's tradition. Every
product of the Officina has a story to tell.
Please note that we can not ship any of the products for this brand outside the US!
|
