Venice is not only full of gems, but even it's street and canal signs are real little frescoes.. they are hand-painted directly
onto the plaster or brick wall of the houses. The type face is
beautiful in it's simplicity and always black, placed in a white
rectangle with a black border. There is a special name for them
'Nizioleti'. (The signs which help tourists navigate through the
labyrinths of tiny alleyways, bridges and canals are called 'Nizioleto',
and have a dark red border and writing. Sadly some of these are now
being replaced by yellow metal panels).
A pretty little side street off the Campo San Polo
On
the square itself, you find a beautiful pharmacy, which dates back to
1586. Initially, it wanted to be called 'The two columns', as did another pharmacy in the Campo San Canciano. According to The Registry of the Apothecaries of
Venice (1258) no
two pharmacies could have the same name, or use the same sign. To solve
the dispute, the judge sent a servant to destroy one half of one of the
columns in front of the San Polo pharmacy, and it ended up being
called "Column and a Half".
In
1963 it was bought by Dr Elisha Burati, who turned it into a herbal
pharmacy and developed his own range of herbal teas, pure essential
oils, various ointments as well as a cosmetic line.
I was very happy to spot the cosmetic range of the Antica Farmacia dei Monaci Camadolesi (Antique
pharmacy of the Monastery of Camaldoli ) which was founded almost at the same time, in 1543.
I
brought back the hand cream from the Monastry's line (9.50 EUR) and
also tried a face cream from Dr. Burati (16 EUR)... I could not be more
pleased with both.
Very interesting the story of this fabulous pharmacy I would also have bought quite a lot I love this kind of almost medical and natural Products. As always very nice pictures dear MT.
ReplyDeleteI a m looking forward watching you inside the magical Venise with your new scarf
Waely. Monica
Many thanks, dear Monica, happy you enjoyed the story! They do have a website (only in italian though), and perhaps you could ask them to ship? Have a lovely jour ferie tomorrow!
DeleteP.S. It's more difficult for me to exprime exactly what I would because of the English language. In French It would be more exact with more sensible words!
ReplyDeleteYour English is perfect, I always know exactly what you mean <3
DeleteSo lovely and charming the name of the signs that help tourists in Venice! And quite useful as well:)
ReplyDeleteI wish they would continue painting them on the walls...
I love this kind of information. Thank you, my dear MaiTai, for sharing it with us.
Look forward to seeing the scarf you took home with you:) Silk hugs, M xx
I agree on the usefulness of the dark red 'Nizioleto' signs! It would be almost impossible without them. Have a wonderful long weekend! Hugs and bisous xx
DeleteThank you, my dear. To you too! It´s great not to work tomorrow. Mxx
DeleteSo utterly romantic and I didn't know the story about the columns. So funny!
ReplyDeleteHow fun to have been in the same country at the same time. Loved your Italy travelogue!
DeleteDear MaiTai,
ReplyDeleteEverything looks so magical and such a special and interesting place to visit.
Especially the way you describe everything so beautifully along with your lovely pictures.
Look forward to the next chapter of your adventure
Jane x
Thanks so much, dearest Jane. Hope you'll enjoy the next episodes too <3
DeleteGreat story about the street signs and again another lovely visual! I can almost smell that wonderful,lux smell of those ancient plants and oils used in the creams and lotions! I am sure it was a 'heady' experience upon walking through the door! Love 'stuff' like this! Again,that gorgeous terracota color plays well here. Too bad it does not show up in very many H products:-(
ReplyDeleteThanks again for the indulgence and wishing you a great week ahead, T xx
Oh if only H's AD would go and take note! ;-) The products are so very lovely, and their scent so unique, calm and ethereal. I should have bought a few more! Have a most wonderful weekend too (here it is bank holiday season again) xxx
DeleteOh how you've made me long for the Farmacia! The creams look lovely...sigh. As a skin care "junkie", I get starry eyed at the sight of interesting products. I'm currently insane for Avibon. I have a wonderful shopper in Paris who sends it to me, 12 at a time, because I coat my whole body every night!
ReplyDeleteI can't wait for the next installment! Thank you dear Mai Tai for bringing Venice back to me~
Barbara A
Thanks so much for sharing the Avibon tip! I had to google what it was, and then remembered that I have a tube sitting in the bottom in my medicine cabinet.. never knew what a treasure I had! It is past it's expiry date though, and it seems that all online pharmacies are out of stock (must be a global craze). Will check with my local pharmacy asap. Mille merci! x
DeleteVery nice "clip" taken in the rich Venetian life and history, associated with the so much loved "touch-up" of the skincare products, herbs and all the nice atmosphere and background such an old pharmacy is coming with... Like Barbara A, I am so impatient to see the next instalment...living in Venice this week. So much love this series of Venetian snapshots. Thank you very much for your tremendous work you put into these collages - in all the ease and simplicity your episodes are coming with, your work, love and strive to do your best are so recognizable. It is what makes your blog so outstanding and so special for me.
ReplyDeleteLove, Lea
Many thanks, my dear Lea, your lovely and kind comment is so much appreciated. These episodes and chapters are very personal to me, and it is wonderful to know that they communicate to you and others too. Hope you'll enjoy the rest of Venice week! Hugs x
DeleteSorry, my dear MaiTai. I forgot to tell you how lovely I think Dr. Burati's creams are. I can almost smell their wonderful scent. Have a great week ahead. Warmest hugs, M*
ReplyDeleteBlowing some scent over to you xx
DeleteSuch an incredible treat, dearest MaiTai! There is so much beauty woven into every fabric of life, and each experience so thoroughly pleasurable. What a treasure of a pharmacy - very much hope you'll enjoy your special find. Why does everything sound so delicious in Italian…. Hope you are having a happy and relaxing weekend. Sending you lots of sunshine with much love and big hugs to you xxx
ReplyDeleteOh I could not agree more with you on the beauty of the Italian language, my dearest Scarf Enthusiast, how I wish I could speak it! Biggest hugs, and a most wonderful weekend to you too. Ciao bella! <3
DeleteI am loving these posts from Venice. Visiting this city has been on my bucket list for a long time. I am looking forward to going one day. Until then, I can enjoy it through your lens. Merci!
ReplyDeleteMany thanks, dear vintagefrechchic! Hope the day you'll visit will be in the not so distant future xx
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