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Private company

Kaiserliche Reichspost

Postal service of the Holy Roman Empire

Kaiserliche Reichspost (German: Imperial Mail), originally named Niederländische Postkurs (Low Countries' postal route), was the name of the postal service of the Holy Roman Empire, founded in 1490. Often considered the world's first modern postal service, it initiated a revolution in communication in Europe.2 It was founded by Maximilian I, Janetto von Taxis and Francisco de Tassis.1 It is headquartered in Brussels.1 It ceased to exist in 1806.1 Wikipedia text CC BY-SA 4.0

Last updated Oct 21, 2026.

Overview

1595Founded1
  • Industrymail1
  • HeadquartersBrussels1

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Brueckengasse 2 Limburg detail 01
Photo: Cirdan, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons3

Kaiserliche Reichspost (German: [ˈʁaɪçsˌpɔst], Imperial Mail), originally named Niederländische Postkurs (Low Countries' postal route), was the name of the postal service of the Holy Roman Empire, founded in 1490. Often considered the world's first modern postal service, it initiated a revolution in communication in Europe.2

The story

Founded by Francisco de Tassis, Janetto von Taxis and Maximilian I in 1595.1

Leadership

Who has led Kaiserliche Reichspost, and when. Pick a name to see everywhere that person has worked.

Timeline

  1. 1806Dissolved Dissolved1
  2. 1595Founded Founded1

Sources

The numbers on this page point here. Each one links to the record it came from.

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