One of the oldest pharmacies in the world, Officina Profumo Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella, is located next to Piazza Santa Maria Novella. It was founded in 1221 by Dominican monks who arrived in Florence shortly before. In their monastery garden, they began to grow medicinal herbs, which were used in the preparation of healing balms and essences. Later, in 1612, it was decided to open the pharmacy to the general public. At the same time, the Grand Duke of Tuscany granted the monks' production the title of His Royal Majesty's Workshop. In the 18th century, the unique quality of products and special formulas developed by pharmacist monks became known far beyond the borders of Italy. Today, under the leadership of Eugenio Alfanderi, carefully preserved traditions - the use of exclusively natural raw materials of the highest quality and adherence to artisan methods and recipes dating back to the Dominican Fathers - are combined with progressive ideas.