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The existence of the scent “Violetta di Parma” is caused by the passion the duchess Maria Luigia, second wife of Napoleon Bonaparte, who was able to conquer the love and faith of her subjects by ruling to assure peace and prosperity, had for this flower.
The Viola odorata, her favourite flower, became from that moment the  symbol of the city and nearly a sacred object. Maria Luigia loved violets because of their symbol and colour: she encouraged and supported the researches of the friars of the nunnery dell’Annunciata, who, after a long and patient work, were able to obtain from the violet and its leaves  an essence equal to the one of the flower.
In 1870, decades after the disappearance of the duchess, the secret formula invented by the friars was handed down to Ludovico Borsari, son of a carpenter and owner of a city in Barbary. He will market the essence.
Able creators,  Borsari realised precious boxes and containers and above all beautiful decorated glasses, which have characterised the Borsari production 1870 for over a century. After that, it has been created in Parma the first Museo Italiano della Profumeria.
The museum, divided into two sections, encloses the history of Borsari, its products and the graphic which accompanied the perfume.

This post is also available in: Italiano (Italian)