Established in 1221 in Florence, the Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella originates from the Dominican friars who founded the Santa Maria Novella convent and cultivated a remarkable garden.
This marked the beginning of their expertise in pharmacopoeia and natural preparations. Over time, this knowledge expanded to encompass cosmetics, fragrances, and wellness products, making Santa Maria Novella a renowned name in these realms.
In 1533, a young Catherine de Medici embarked on her journey to marry the future king of France, accompanied by a retinue that included a perfumer named Renato Bianco. Renato, later known as René le Florentin, brought the ancient wisdom of Florence's essence-makers to Paris, spreading the noble art of perfume throughout the world. Acqua di Santa Maria Novella, also known as Acqua della Regina or the "Queen's Water," is the oldest fragrance from the Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella, paying homage to the love-filled gift that Caterina bestowed upon France.
