La Galeria de Santa Maria Novella: skin care products from one of the world´s oldest pharmacies

Dominican monks began concocting herbal remedies in Santa Maria Novella (Florence) in the 13th century, in the time of Giotto and Dante. Later they prepared formulas for Catalina de Medici and it appears that the Eau de Cologne originated there, before it was made famous in Germany.

Being one of the world's oldest pharmacies, the Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella still sells traditional elixirs, along with more contemporary skin-care products, oils and perfumes. In Barcelona you can buy them in the charming concession shop located in the old town.  

Find out more at http://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/heaven-scent.html

C/ Espaseria, 4-8, El Born neighbourhood, not far from the church Santa Maria del Mar

Metro: Jaume I (yellow line)

http://www.lagaleriadesantamarianovella.com

Zwilling Concept Shop: German inox

Zwilling is a German company, in business since 1731, producing top quality cutlery, kitchen gadgets, flatware, scissors and beauty tools. The Gemini star sign in the company logo is one of the oldest trademarks in the world.

Their products are sold worldwide but if you don´t have a distributor nearby at home, and you, your family or good friends like cooking, you can get some gadgets here. They also have a nice selection of manicure sets.

Zwilling is not cheap but they offer quality. A good idea for a cheap but original -and beautiful- present is the inox “soap” for the kitchen shown in the picture. It removes food smells from your hands without any chemicals. The Concept Shop is near the Cathedral and the Plaça del Pi, in the Gothic quarter.

Carrer del Pi, 16 (Metro: Liceu, Green Line)www.zwilling.es