Ravensburg Trading Company

German company

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July 13, 2026

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The Ravensburg Trading Company was a significant German enterprise that flourished in the 14th and 15th centuries. Based in the city of Ravensburg, this company was particularly involved in the trade of linen, textiles, and paper. German merchants, especially those in southern Germany, played a crucial role as intermediaries between Italy and the rest of Europe. The Ravensburg Trading Company was a prime example of this, combining trade with industry and laying the groundwork for the wealth of prominent families. This period saw impressive economic achievements in German trade and industry, despite the political fragmentation of the Holy Roman Empire.12

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Germany
Trade and industry
…and industry in the great Ravensburg Trading Company (1380–1530), which produced and exported Swabian linen and laid the foundation of the fortunes of the Höchstetter, Herwart, Adler, Tucher, and Imhof families. The most important independent concern was that of the Fuggers, whose founder, Hans Fugger, began his career as a…
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…and industry in the great Ravensburg Trading Company (1380–1530), which produced and exported Swabian linen and laid the foundation of the fortunes of the Höchstetter, Herwart, Adler, Tucher, and Imhof families. The most important independent concern was that of the Fuggers, whose founder, Hans Fugger, began his career as a…
Read More