Palaces & Monuments
Spezieria - Farmacia dell'Abbazia di Monte Oliveto Maggiore
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The Pharmacy, more specifically the Spezieria, was built together with the Abbey, leaning against the entrance tower of the Monastery. It seems to have consisted of large rooms that contained glass stills for the distillation of aromatic waters.
The most certain information about it dates back to 1564, when the Abbot General Barnaba Barsi from Perugia transformed it into a real pharmacy serving both the Convent and the inhabitants of the surrounding countryside.
The structure was later entrusted to expert lay apothecaries and ceased to function in 1865, due to an earthquake which destroyed the premises and damaged everything inside. The salvageable furniture and equipment were repaired and stored until 1926 in the Refectory. Then they were recomposed in the room currently used for it, which is located at the back of the Library.
In the current Fearmacia, there are six walnut shelves and the workbench.
On the shelves you can admire many ceramic containers, all decorated with the coat of arms of Monte Oliveto and made by the renowned kilns of San Quirico d'Orcia dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries.
On the back wall there is also a painting depicting the "Madonna giving the monastic habit to San Bernardo Tolomei" created by Giovanni de Maria in the 16th century.
The Pharmacy, more specifically the Spezieria, was built together with the Abbey, leaning against the entrance tower of the Monastery. It seems to have consisted of large rooms that contained glass stills for the distillation of aromatic waters.
The most certain information about it dates back to 1564, when the Abbot General Barnaba Barsi from Perugia transformed it into a real pharmacy serving both the Convent and the inhabitants of the surrounding countryside.
The structure was later entrusted to expert lay apothecaries and ceased to function in 1865, due to an earthquake which destroyed the premises and damaged everything inside. The salvageable furniture and equipment were repaired and stored until 1926 in the Refectory. Then they were recomposed in the room currently used for it, which is located at the back of the Library.
In the current Fearmacia, there are six walnut shelves and the workbench.
On the shelves you can admire many ceramic containers, all decorated with the coat of arms of Monte Oliveto and made by the renowned kilns of San Quirico d'Orcia dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries.
On the back wall there is also a painting depicting the "Madonna giving the monastic habit to San Bernardo Tolomei" created by Giovanni de Maria in the 16th century.