In 1709, Italian perfumer Johann Maria Farina created a fragrance that he named EAU DE COLOGNE in honor of his new home city.
Inspired by his Italian homeland, he used citrus oils such as bergamot, orange, and grapefruit, which he combined with pure alcohol for the first time, creating a fresh, light fragrance. In doing so, he laid the foundation for modern perfumery.
EAU DE COLOGNE conquered the European courts during the Rococo era. The emperor in Vienna, the kings in Prussia, and the king of France loved it. The long list of famous customers also includes Emperor Napoleon and his family, Goethe, Queen Victoria, and Empress Elisabeth (Sisi).
Farina made Cologne world-famous as a city of fragrance. Thanks to its success, Farina's EAU DE COLOGNE became the namesake for an entire class of fragrances.
The original EAU DE COLOGNE is still produced today in Cologne by the eighth and ninth generations of the family. It is the oldest existing perfume house in the world.
Take a guided tour of the fragrance museum to learn how the family business has kept up with the times since 1709 and enriched the international world of fragrances. At the fragrance station, you will learn about real fragrance essences. You will find out how these high-quality raw materials are obtained and how they are used to create a fragrance.
