Off The Beaten Path: Florence's Santa Maria Novella pharmacy, La Specola, and Palazzo Davanzati

Picking up where we left off on Wednesday, Darcy explains the allure of the Dominican Friar's pharmacy near Santa Maria Novella—including perfumes made from ancient recipes that can still be purchased—as Nathaniel offers two museums that might not have made it to the top of your "must see" list: the zoological "La Specola" and the suspended-in-time Palazzo Davanzati.

Keep an eye on the weather and stay cool this week!

Below are links to the places we talk about in this episode:

Santa Maria Novella Pharmacy: called the Officina Profumo Farmaceutica Santa Maria Novella is the oldest continuous pharmacy in Italy - free to visit

La Specola: Science Museum of taxidermy animals, wax figures, and skeletons €10 per person*

Palazzo Davanzati: Restored 14th century home stuck in time €8-€12 per person*

*Prices as of August 2026

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Thanks for listening! 

xDarcy and Nathaniel