Kölnisch Wasser
Cologne's iconic fragrance water, created by Farina in 1709 as Eau de Cologne — home to the legendary brands 'Farina gegenüber' and 4711.
Kölnisch Wasser, also known as Eau de Cologne, is a traditional fragrance water with deep roots in Cologne. Created at the turn of the 18th century, it shaped the perfume market well into the 19th century and remains one of the most storied scents in the world.
At a Glance
- Type
- Cologne fragrance water (Eau de Cologne)
- Creator
- Johann Maria Farina (1685–1766)
- Origin
- 1709, first named Eau de Cologne in 1742
- Well-known brands
- "Farina gegenüber" and 4711
- Location
- Cologne, Altstadt-Nord
- In Turkey
- widely known as "Kolonya"
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe kept handkerchiefs soaked in Eau de Cologne near his writing desk, and Napoleon Bonaparte, Louis XV, and Mozart were all known devotees of the Cologne fragrance.
Things to do here
- Smell the original Eau de Cologne in the historic fragrance houses
- Wander the Old Town in the footsteps of Farina and 4711
- Discover over 300 years of Cologne's perfume history
- Pick out a bottle of Eau de Cologne as a souvenir
- Try to pick out the individual citrus and herbal notes
Origin and Name
Italian perfumer Johann Maria Farina crafted the fragrance in 1709 from citrus oils — lemon, orange, bergamot, mandarin, lime, cedar, and grapefruit — blended with herbs. In a 1742 letter, he named it Eau de Cologne in honor of his adopted city. The house "Farina gegenüber dem Jülichs-Platz" took on the designation that French officers had previously given to his Eau Admirable, and the company continues to produce it to this day using the original unchanged recipe.
Trademark Protection
Original Eau de Cologne is a registered trademark of Cologne manufacturers at the German Patent and Trade Mark Office. An EU-wide registration as a Community trademark was, however, rejected by the Office for Harmonization in the Internal Market — confirmed by the European General Court — as a "descriptive indication lacking distinctive character."
Spread Across Europe
As early as the 18th century, the fragrance was sold across Europe from Cologne. Notable admirers included Louis XV, Napoleon Bonaparte, and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart; Goethe kept Eau de Cologne-soaked handkerchiefs near his writing desk, and Voltaire described it as a scent that sharpened the mind. Beau Nash and Beau Brummell made it the dominant men's fragrance in Britain around 1800. More affordable than perfume, it became popular among the middle classes and was stocked by barbers and pharmacists alike. Initially worn almost exclusively by men, it crossed over to both sexes in Britain from 1830 onward.
The 4711 Brand
The brand 4711 takes its name from the former house number of the original premises on Glockengasse. Wilhelm Mülhens began producing it in Cologne in the early 19th century. In 2006, Mäurer & Wirtz acquired the brand from Muelhens, which had been part of Procter & Gamble. Both Cologne waters rank among the oldest perfumes still produced anywhere in the world.
Kolonya in Turkey
Toward the end of the 19th century, Sultan Abdülhamid II began importing Eau de Cologne. After his personal physician identified its antibacterial properties, it became more widely available; in 1882, Ahmet Faruki Bey founded the first perfume factory of the Ottoman Empire. Today, Kolonya — as it is known locally — comes in over 190 varieties, from black tea to olive to lime, with lemon remaining the most popular. It is offered to guests as a gesture of hospitality upon entering a home, and is also used to freshen the face and hands of the ill.
Timeline
- 1709Johann Maria Farina creates the first Eau de Cologne in Cologne
- 1742First mention as "Eau de Cologne" in a letter by Farina
- um 1800Wilhelm Mülhens begins producing 4711 in the Glockengasse
- 1806Maria Joseph Farina first produces Eau de Cologne in Paris
- 1830Cologne water establishes itself as a fragrance for both genders in Britain
- 1862Roger & Gallet takes over the Parisian Farina company
- 1882Ahmet Faruki Bey founds the first perfume factory in the Ottoman Empire
- 2006Mäurer & Wirtz acquires the 4711 brand from Procter & Gamble (December 12)
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Sources & links
- Official website
- Official website (retrieved 2026-06-25)
- Wikidata (retrieved 2026-06-25)
- Wikipedia (retrieved 2026-06-25, rev 267214479)
Auto-generated, last verified: 2026-06-26
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