The hermitage of Camaldoli and its ancient pharmacy

Camaldoli - Near Arezzo, in the municipality of Poppi, there is an ancient monastery with a hermitage whose name is Camaldoli. It was founded by San Romualdo who gave life to the order of Camaldolese monks, who not only lived in hermitages but also lived in close symbiosis with the dense forest that still surrounds the convent today. At the monastery the holy men dedicated themselves to the care of the sick, founding a hospital where the brothers who were too old to continue a life of hermitage were treated mainly.

In the beginning there was very little. It is thought that the Ancient Pharmacy still existing today began in 1023, at the time of the foundation of the convent itself. Over time, the space expanded, with very beautiful environments characterized by walnut wood shelves and coffered ceilings. A small library has also been created, with about 400 period volumes relating to medical science. The monks have not stopped making their preparations, even if the methods have changed a bit from those of the past and today we think of organic production.