Monastica - Heavenly Creations
by European Monks

Monastica - Heavenly Creations by European Monks
Monastica is a unique venture. Located in central Florence, the store opened a year ago and features various items produced by monasteries throughout Italy and Europe. Upon entering the small brightly lit shop, you notice the order and tranquility of the place. The products are neatly grouped by category and by monastery. The walls are white intonaco and the vaulted ceilings and arches are defined by the traditional Tuscan gray pietra serena stone.

The photos to the left are of the Monastica shop in Florence, Italy.

Once inside, Sister Petra, wearing a light blue tunic and white habit, greets you with a smile. She is a member of the Monastic Fraternity of Jerusalem, which is located just down the street in the Badia Fiorentina Church. She and a fellow monk of this religious order run the store, along with four other salespeople who are not part of any religious order. The store's hours reflect the daily schedule of monastic life. According to the rules for monastic living, first written by Saint Benedict of Nursia, the sisters and brothers of a monastic order structure their daily schedules around prayer, meals, and work. The products, as stated on the store's business card, are "the fruit of the silence, prayer and labor of the monks." All proceeds earned by the shop go to pay the costs of rent, salaries, and the monasteries for their goods.

The merchandise comes from all regions of Italy and parts of Western Europe. For example, one monastic order in France creates devotional figurines; while this same order of monks, located in Italy, bakes 12 varieties of cookies. The store's mission is two-fold. First, Monastica brings to the public, in one convenient location, a variety of high quality products. Many of these items such as creams, soaps, honeys, cookies, and liqueurs are made from organic ingredients. Normally, these products would only be found by traveling to each individual monastery. Secondly, Monastica hopes to educate the general public about the productivity and devotional routine of monastic life.

Visit Monastica at #127/R Via Ghibellina, Florence, Italy, Telephone: +39 055 211006, E-mail: monastica@email.it

Store hours: Tuesday-Saturday 9:30am-12:00pm, 3:00pm-6:00pm, 7:30pm-8:30pm, Closed Monday.