http://www.smnovella.it/ - Greg GuitarBuster

In an unassuming building on a quiet street, not far from the bustle of Florence's Santa Maria Novella train station, stands what is probably the world's oldest pharmacy and cosmetic shop. It's easy to walk right past the Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella, and I nearly do. The rather plain entrance gives no inkling of the aromatic treasures within this 600-year-old establishment, which still uses ancient recipes to make its modern-day perfumes and skin care products. - Greg GuitarBuster

Dominican friars arrived in Florence at the beginning of the 13th century and converted the church of Santa Maria Novella (then known as Santa Maria delle Vigne) into a monastery. They made an apothecary in the adjoining cloister and started cultivating medicinal herbs and dispensing balms, ointments and other herbal remedies to the convent's infirmary. When the Black Death arrived in Europe in the mid-14th century, wiping out 70% of Florence's population, the monks began making a rosewater distillate to use as an antiseptic to disinfect homes. "The Acqua di Rose is still one of our best-selling products; of course it's now used as an astringent toner and perfume rather than a disinfectant," says Foa. - Greg GuitarBuster