Scents of the Mediterranean : Mavrorachi

Where did fragrance making originate ?

Egypt ? no...

Saudi Arabia ? nope

France ? NOT .

Nestled remotely in it's strategic spot in the Mediterranean lies the Island of Cyprus...the namesake of the chypre....

Pyrgos settlement on the Island of Cyprus is the oldest archaeological site ever discovered containing the evidence of perfume making 4000 years ago . Pictured at right is the dig at Mavrorachi/Pyrgos where the ancient olive oil press was discovered , with pottery containing the remnants of olive oil based perfumes . Santa Maria Novella , in partnership with the archaeologists , recreated this fragrance and I am enjoying it today...

MAVRORACHI IS THE ORIGINAL UNGUENT....a limited edition , numbered fragrance made by Santa Maria Novella to commemorate the discovery of the ruins on Cyprus , Mavrorachi is presented in a frosted glass vial and lies nestled in it's box of lapis blue...precious , subtle .

I opened the box , carefully grasped the vial and snipped the golden thread wrapped around the neck and stopper . The ground glass stopper was firmly set ....

Mavrorachi is a soft scent , and I approached her with the reverence I feel she deserves , that of the profumi di Aphrodite . An homage to Aphrodite and the Island of the Mediterranean considered to be her home , Mavrorachi is olive oil based and created from essences indigenous to Cyprus , and a recreation of a scent actually discovered in the 4000 year old ruins of Mavrorachi .

The ground glass stopper gave way to my insistence , and I dabbed my wrist with the slender glass wand attatched to the stopper...and inhaled as all fragrance fanatics are wont to do.
I was not disappointed . I waited for a few moments , closing my eyes and searching for associations . Soft breezes , small flowers...subtlety . I needed more . This was jus meant for the dry sunny clime of a wild island , kissed by sun and wind and salt spray . Aphrodite would have rubbed it in her hair and on her parched shoulders and arms...the healing unguent of olive oil warms and begins to radiate a gladness and strength , but you must be liberal , as the sea is liberal with her salt spray and her lashing of the shore...

I close my eyes and feel the warmth of the oil as it melds to my skin and pulsates . I hear the small myrtle branches clicking in the wind , the foamy seas rocking . These are herbs that have blossomed and survived in spite of what mother nature has thrown at them . And you must listen carefully , because they are timid . But they are beautiful . Aphrodite lives on .

* this article appeared originally on my blog in July 2008

Check out the other participating blogs in the Scents of the Mediterranean Blog Project :

and thank you to Ines and Elena for organizing it !

http://bonkersaboutperfume.blogspot.com/
http://underthecupola.blogspot.com/
http://scelfleah.blogspot.com/

http://olfactarama.blogspot.com/

http://www.eiderdownpress.com/Perfume_Journal.html

http://thenonblonde.blogspot.com/

http://thehortusconclusus.blogspot.com/

http://arosebeyondthethames.blogspot.com/

http://ayalasmellyblog.blogspot.com/

http://www.katiepuckriksmells.com/

http://sonomascent.wordpress.com/

http://journal.illuminatedperfume.com/

http://www.scenthive.com/

http://perfumeshrine.blogspot.com/

http://alliam-aredhead.blogspot.com/