Cologne, Germany - Glockengasse 4711

On October 8, 1792 a Carthusian monk presented a young merchant Wilhelm Mülhens with a seemingly simple gift. The gift was a secret recipe for the production of an “aqua mirabilis” – or “miracle water” - later to be called Eau de Cologne.

Wilhelm Mülhens recognized the value of the recipe very quickly, and shortly thereafter, he began constructing a small factory in the Glockengasse for the manufacture of the “aqua mirabilis”.

At the time of its origin, it was frequently marketed under the name “aqua mirabilis”, due to its stimulating and refreshing effect. It was one of many very popular miracle waters that produced unique effects, and which could also be taken internally.

The brand name “4711” come into being in 1796, the French Commander in Cologne, General Daurier, ordered that all the houses in the city be serially numbered.

The building in the Glockengasse” was assigned the house number 4711. In the end, Ferdinand Mülhens used the magical power of the number to distinguish his Eau de Cologne from the others in 1875, he registered it as a Trademark.

In 1881, two generations later, his grandson, registered his firm under the name “Eau de Cologne & Perfumery Factory, Glockengasse 4711, across from the postal station of Ferdinand Mülhens”.

A closely guarded secret the exact composition and recipe for 4711 Genuine Eau de Cologne is still subject to the strictest secrecy.