The Florentine Officina traces its institutional roots to a Dominican garden established in 1221. Its history moves from aromatic preparations and a public pharmacy to a private enterprise known for fragrance, cosmetics and its historic Florentine rooms.
A story rooted in a Florentine convent
The Officina’s institutional roots reach to 1221, when twelve Dominican friars obtained use of the Santa Maria inter Vineas site outside Florence’s inner walls. There they cultivated a botanical garden for the community infirmary. The company’s history begins at this site; the private commercial enterprise was established much later.1,2
The earliest documented aromatic preparations
The earliest confirmed record of the Officina’s aromatic production dates to 1381: the sale of scented waters, including Acqua di Rose, distilled from Rosa damascena. According to the house, these preparations were used in rooms during epidemics and taken diluted in wine as a remedy. The record offers a glimpse of the Officina’s early pharmacy tradition.1,2
A pharmacy opens to the public
On 15 October 1612, the convent chapter voted to establish a public pharmacy and appointed Simone Marchi its first director. The enterprise became known as the Antica Spezieria di Santa Maria Novella. The date marks a shift from a monastic laboratory serving the friars to an institution receiving outside clients.1,2,3
