4711, Perfume store in Glockengasse, Cologne, Germany
4711 is a cologne shop in Glockengasse in Cologne, selling the classic fragrance made with essential oils of bergamot, lemon, orange, lavender and rosemary in the characteristic hexagonal bottle. The building houses a small museum alongside the shop, displaying historical bottles and advertising materials related to the scented water.
Wilhelm Muelhens received a recipe for scented water from a monk in 1792, which he later sold as a remedy and refreshment. During French occupation, his house received the number 4711, which later became the brand name and remains in use today.
The name comes from the house number assigned by French troops in the late 18th century, still visible on the blue plaque at the building in Glockengasse. The shop shows the historical link between city history and local perfume making, which many visitors see as typical for Cologne.
The shop sits in the old town, just a few steps from the cathedral and easy to reach on foot from the main station. Inside you will find refillable containers and other versions alongside the classic bottle, which make good souvenirs.
German submarine crews in World War II carried the scented water on longer underwater missions to mask unpleasant odors in the tight spaces. The small bottle fit in every locker and helped make the air on board more bearable.
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