Historic Pharmacy

Founded in 1795 by the Francini Naldi family and dedicated to St. Agatha, Asciano’s patron saint, this pharmacy carries a rich family tradition. Restored in 1830, it is a true gem: adorned with refined Empire-style shelving, crafted from fine lacquered wood and embellished with golden details. During the latest restoration, ancient notes and recipes were found, attributed to an ancestor, Francesco Francini Naldi, an 18th-century apothecary and alchemist. This is where the famed Vinpepato was born!

Stepping inside, you are enveloped in a neoclassical elegance where every detail tells a story. The furniture, decorated with gold festoons and Egyptian-style bas-reliefs, evokes an era of sophistication and mystery. The glass cabinets carefully preserve ancient glass and ceramic containers with intricate designs that once held medicinal concoctions. Each label and item is meticulously arranged, like a living archive of pharmacological history.

Nearly untouched over the centuries, the ancient Francini Naldi pharmacy reveals its mysterious past through the secret notes of Francesco Francini Naldi, a late 18th-century alchemist and apothecary. During recent restorations, the current descendant uncovered these hidden notes, including an arcane recipe: Vinpepato, an elixir made of herbs, roots, and fortified wine. Have you tasted it?