The Great Sales Hall

During a delicate period of Italian history, Damiano Beni initiated the restoration of the former chapel of San Niccolò, transforming it into the current Great Sales Hall. The extensive renewal project conceived by Friar Tommaso Valori was only completed during the Italian Risorgimento by one of his successors, Damiano Beni. He started work in 1847, transforming the Chapel of San Niccolò into the current Great Sales Hall. The Gothic vault was decorated with frescoes by Paolino Sarti depicting the four continents. The wooden furnishings were in fourteenth-century style, such as the long counter on which were positioned two bronze lamp holders depicting female figures. Two wooden statues, also still present today, alluded to healthy living, with direct reference to the effectiveness of the Officina's products.

The Room of Waters

The Sacristy of the Chapel of San Niccolò was converted into a storeroom as early as 1612, the year in which the Officina took its current name and became Foundry of His Royal Highness. In it were kept the aqueous products from the distillation of herbs and roses, called "waters". Hence the name by which it was called: "The Room of Waters". These distillates were stored in glass vials or copper containers, ready to be quickly sold to customers equipped with "pitchers" for decanting, a custom that remained in use until the end of the 19th century. For a longer shelf life, glass flasks covered with straw were used to protect them from impacts.

In 2014 the Officina inaugurated its garden. There was a time when the friars carefully safeguarded their crops within the high walls of the convent, cultivating them with passion in order to obtain excellent natural products. This method was called Hortus Conclusus. Each element of the garden had its own meaning, such as the fountain to symbolise the "source of life", and each component was there to stimulate the five senses. The Officina still cultivates its own garden near the Villa Petraia in Florence.