Johann Maria Farina opposite Jülichs-Platz
By its own account the world's oldest still-operating eau de cologne and perfume factory – founded in 1709, family-owned to this day.
since 1709
The Cologne company Johann Maria Farina gegenüber dem Jülichs-Platz was founded in 1709 and is considered the oldest existing eau de cologne and perfume factory in the world. Its original headquarters, the "Farina House," today houses the Cologne Fragrance Museum.
At a Glance
- Type
- Perfume manufactory with fragrance museum in the original building
- Founded
- 13 July 1709, initially as "G. B. Farina"
- Location
- corner of Obenmarspforten / Jülichsplatz (Gülichsplatz from 1815)
- Emblem
- a red tulip
- Leadership
- descendants of the founder, now in the eighth and ninth generation
- Famous for
- the fragrant water "Eau admirable," the origin of eau de cologne
- Notable feature
- unbroken bookkeeping records since 1709
Things to do here
Age comparison
Age compared with other places in Cologne.
Origins and Founding
The Farina family came from Santa Maria Maggiore in Italy. Johann Baptist Farina arrived in Cologne in June 1709, joining his younger brother Johann Maria Farina, who had already been living there since 1706. On 13 July 1709 Johann Baptist founded the company with its first purchases of goods; trade began with "French wares" such as silk goods, ribbons, snuff boxes, and powder. From 1733 onward, Johann Maria Farina ran the business under the name it still bears today.
The Eau Admirable
Even before joining the company, Johann Maria Farina had developed a fragrant water called "Eau admirable." He dissolved a blend of essential oils in high-proof spirits of wine—a method brought to Germany by Italian families. The scent stood out for its freshness and lightness, breaking with the heavy essences of the time such as cinnamon, sandalwood, or musk. For its bergamot top note, the citrus fruits were harvested green. To keep the fragrance consistent, Farina kept reference samples, some of which survive to this day.
Spread and Name
Sales were initially limited to the Cologne shop and the Frankfurt trade fairs. Shipments beyond the city are documented from 1716, and the first delivery to Paris went out in 1721. Farina supplied numerous European royal courts. For a long time the house also used the French company name "Jean Marie Farina vis-à-vis de la place Juliers depuis 1709," shortened to "Farina Gegenüber."
Today
The perfume factory is still run by the founder's descendants. The "Farina House"—the original headquarters and birthplace of eau de cologne—now houses the Cologne Fragrance Museum.
Map
Blue dots: other places nearby — tap to explore.
Address
Unter Goldschmied 7
50667 Köln
Hours
Mo: 08:00–20:00
Di: 08:00–20:00
Mi: 08:00–20:00
Do: 08:00–20:00
Fr: 08:00–20:00
Sa: 08:00–20:00
So: 08:00–20:00
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Sources & links
Auto-generated, last verified: 2026-06-30
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