By Riley Houstler
In strolling the cobblestone streets of Florence, passersby are overwhelmed with scents of savory salami, potent leather, and bitter wine. However, the city has finer smells to offer. Perfumeries are a hidden luxury of the town. Florence has turned perfume-making into an art form. It is a common misconception that perfume was invented in France. Renato Bianco opened the first ever perfume shop in Paris, however he was originally from Florence, as he was Catherine de Medici’s personal perfumer.
The oldest perfumery in Europe is located in Florence, Officina Profumo– Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella. This perfumery has been making scents from before the Renaissance and still sells them today. They invented rose water. Today, the Officina stands in the original ancient chapel it began in in 1621. The walls are covered with antique wooden shelves and the vaulted ceilings are painted with portraits of all the early workshop directors. This ode to the tradition of the store credits the timeless quality of the products and makes it one of the best
perfumeries of the world. Santa Maria Novella is only one of many ancient pharmacies and apothecaries operating like this in Florence. The scents these shops spew into Florence are the same fragrances smelled years ago.
New perfume companies also tie their product to the craftsmanship of Florence. Dr.Vranjes, a world-renowned Florence perfumery created in 1983, mimics their bottles to the famous Brunelleschi’s Dome, a piece of the Duomo in the heart of the city. Founder Vranjes believes that spaces can become real sensory experiences. He ties his fragrances with his life.
When creating the scents, he thinks back to being a “young boy in nature or a chemist with a perfect formulation.” In doing so, he unites buyers in sharing a memory every time they smell the scent.
With its ties to both Florence and memories, perfume has become a perfect souvenir for travelers. Attending each aesthetically-amazing perfumery is an attraction featured on many travel blogs, so each shop is getting more and more elaborate. A city favorite is Aquaflor Florence, with its grand chandeliers and moody lighting. Here, buyers can create their own perfume by choosing from 80 different fragrances. With that, they will forever remember the smells of Florence. Visit one of these local perfumeries to find the perfect scent for you.