Spezieria di San Marco is the new brand created by Mavive S.p.A. in collaboration with the Fondazione Museo della Scuola Grande di San Marco, with the aim of reviving and celebrating the ancient tradition of Venetian apothecaries.

This tradition is deeply rooted in the Scuola Grande di San Marco, founded in 1437 and closely tied to the medical and botanical knowledge preserved for centuries by the friars of the nearby convent of Santi Giovanni e Paolo. It was within this context that the “spezierie” emerged—true workshops where remedies made from herbs and essences were crafted, foreshadowing the modern concept of the pharmacy.

In the 17th century, the first scented waters also began to appear, originally intended for medicinal use. Among the most renowned was “Aqua Mirabilis,” which would eventually evolve into Eau de Cologne. Its widespread success is linked to Giovanni Maria Farina, grandson of a Venetian perfumer, who developed a citrusy and aromatic formula that took Europe by storm, turning the city of Cologne into one of the most important perfume capitals of the 18th century.

Spezieria di San Marco draws inspiration from this rich cultural and olfactory heritage, reinterpreted through a collection of Eau de Cologne and Eau de Parfum created using the finest raw materials from the Mediterranean—particularly from Calabria, a region famed for the exceptional quality of its citrus fruits.
Thanks to innovative techniques like upcycling, waste has been significantly reduced and the compositions made more sustainable. All the resources used in the creation of these fragrances are natural, pure, and traceable, setting Spezieria di San Marco apart in the world of perfumery for its authenticity and uniqueness.