Thurn und Taxis

The Princely House of Thurn und Taxis is a German family that was a key player in the postal (mail) services in Europe in the 16th century and is well known as owners of breweries and builders of countless castles.

Related Topics:
German - Mail - Europe - 16th century

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In the 13th century the originally Lombardic aristocratic family de la Torre (from the Tower (Turm)) was resident in Bergamo. The Tower (Turm) in the family crest eventually became Thurn, the Tasso (Dachs) became Taxis.

Related Topics:
Lombardic - Turm - Dachs

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Ruggiano de Tassis (Franz von Taxis) founded the postal service in Italy. And later in Innsbruck, on 11 December 1489, Jeannetto de Tassis was appointed Chief Master of Postal Services. The family held its exclusive position for centuries. On 12 November 1516 the Thurn und Taxis family had a postal service based in Brussels reaching to Rome, Naples, Spain, Germany and France by courier.

Related Topics:
Innsbruck - 11 December - 1489 - Jeannetto de Tassis - 12 November - 1516 - Brussels - Rome - Naples - Spain - Germany - France

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The Thurn und Taxis company would last until the 18th century, when the postal service was finally bought by the heir to the Spanish throne.

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Rainer Maria Rilke's famous novel The Notebooks of Malte Laurids Brigge was dedicated to Princess Marie von Thurn und Taxis-Hohenlohe, who was one of his major patrons.

Related Topics:
Rainer Maria Rilke - The Notebooks of Malte Laurids Brigge

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The house of Thurn und Taxis still exists and is currently headed by HSH Albert Maria Lamoral Miguel Johannes Gabriel 12th Fürst von Thurn und Taxis, son of Gloria Princess von Thurn und Taxis, and is among the wealthiest in Germany. Since 1748 the family resides in St. Emmeram Castle in Regensburg. The family's brewery was sold to the Paulaner Group (Munich) in 1996, but still produces beer under the brand of Thurn und Taxis.

Related Topics:
Thurn und Taxis - Gloria Princess von Thurn und Taxis - 1748 - Regensburg - Munich - 1996

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