Main points
- The oldest business in Europe is the Austrian restaurant St. Peter Stiftskulinarium, founded in 803.
- The Staffelter Hof Winery in Germany has existed since 862, and the Paris Mint in France has existed since 864.
Restaurant St. Peter Stiftskulinarium / TasteAtlas
According to statistics, about half of new companies close within 10 years. However, some businesses founded over a thousand years ago have not only survived, but are still operating, accepting customers, and developing.
Which companies from the 9th century are still in business?
The oldest business in Europe that is still operating is considered to be the Austrian restaurant St. Peter Stiftskulinarium , writes LGT Private Banking.
The restaurant is located within the walls of the Benedictine Monastery of St. Peter in the center of Salzburg and has a history of over 1,220 years .
The first mention of this institution dates back to 803. It was then that the former emperor of the Roman Empire, Charlemagne, visited it.
- Initially, it was an ordinary monastery cellar.
- Over time, it became a center of wine trade.
- And later a full-fledged restaurant was opened at this location.
Over the centuries, Austria's St. Peter Stiftskulinarium has hosted bishops, kings, and famous historical figures, including Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Today, it's a popular destination for locals and tourists alike.
Note! Some legends say that even the famous navigator Christopher Columbus may have dined at the restaurant.
What other ancient institutions are still operating?
Another unique example is the Staffelter Hof Winery, located in the German town of Krefeld. It traces its history back to 862 .
The winery emerged as the property of the monastery and supplied it with wine for centuries.
Over time, the company has experienced divisions, decline and recovery. In the 20th century, the area of vineyards was significantly reduced, but later they were expanded. Today, the winery is not only operational, but has also completely switched to organic production.
Photo: Staffelter Hof Winery / Martin Kraft / Wikipedia
The Paris Mint ( Monnaie de Paris) has been operating in France since 864. It is the oldest mint in the world. It was created by royal decree to centralize the production of money.
Today, it not only produces coins, but also operates as a museum and cultural center. In particular, it houses the Numismatic Museum.
Photo: Paris Mint / PHGCOM / Wikipedia
There is another record holder in Ireland – Sean's Bar pub, located in the city of Athlone . Its history begins around 900. And it is officially recognized as the oldest pub in the country.
During the 20th century reconstruction, remains of 9th century walls and ancient coins were discovered here. Today, this pub is not only a place to relax, but also a kind of museum, allowing you to feel the atmosphere of medieval Europe.
Photo: Sean's Bar / Serge Ottaviani / Wikipedia
Important! The oldest company in Ukraine that is still operating is considered to be the Drohobych Salt Plant. This salt factory in the Lviv region has been operating continuously since the 14th century at the same location, according to the company's official website.
What is the oldest company in the world?
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The oldest company in the world is considered to be the Japanese Kongo Gumi, which was founded in 578. It was created to build Buddhist temples, and for many centuries it remained a family business, passed down from generation to generation. Only in 2006 did the company lose its independence and become part of the Takamatsu Construction construction corporation.
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Other often-mentioned oldest Japanese businesses include hotels and traditional family businesses that have been in operation for over a thousand years. In particular, Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan, founded in 705 and recognized as one of the oldest operating hotels in the world, as well as Koman (717) and Hoshi (718), which are also in the hospitality industry.
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A special mention goes to Genda Shigyo, a ritual paper manufacturer founded in 771, which still operates in a traditional cultural niche. All of these companies remain connected to the founding families.