Fragrance Museum, Perfumery museum in Altstadt-Nord, Germany
The Fragrance Museum is located in a historic building in Altstadt-Nord and occupies the original production spaces of a perfume factory from the 18th century. The structure spans multiple floors with workrooms, equipment, and vessels that demonstrate the complete manufacturing process.
Johann Maria Farina founded the world's oldest perfume factory in this building in 1709 and developed the original Eau de Cologne here. Production continued for centuries in these same rooms that are now open to visitors.
The place shows how fragrance became woven into Cologne's identity and remains part of the city's character today. You can observe how scent was valued in everyday life and in social customs of earlier times.
Access is only possible with pre-booked guided tours, so it's best to arrange your visit in advance. The building is centrally located near the cathedral, making it easy to combine with other sights in the area.
The museum still holds original bottles and containers with actual Eau de Cologne from different periods, which visitors can touch and smell. This sensory experience lets you directly feel the differences between historical and modern scents.
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