Discover the oldest tattoo shop in the world, can you guess how long it has been active?

Tattooing arm

Have you ever wondered what it is the oldest tattoo shop in the world? One might think of a former position in the Polynesia, perhaps in the nineteenth century, carried from father to son, dedicated to the beautiful art of traditional tattoo...

But it's not like that. The answer will surprise you. Keep reading to know more!

Original and lifelong souvenirs

tattooing in black and white

Many, many years ago, more than seven hundred, riding a Jerusalem there were no postcards yet and pilgrims who were going to do their pilgrim things in the hot and dusty streets of the capital had to take another kind of memory at home.

Why the pilgrims chose to take these originals souvenirs on your skin it's less weird than it sounds. The Christians they used to carry cross tattoos and the name of Christ to identify themselves. With the arrival of the Visitantes to the Holy Land, this became even more common and travelers began to mark themselves to remember their passage through that land and their devotion to religion.

Tattoos of yesteryear and today

Jerusalem

Jerusalem, the city in which the oldest tattoo shop in the world is located.

Due to the Jerusalem religious tourism, typical for hundreds of years, the most popular designs they haven't changed much since then. The jerusalem cross, images christian o latin quotes are some of the most demanded pieces.

Although now the tools that are used are the tattoo machines, once the process was something more laborious. In a writing of the time this procedure is described; in which I know reproduced the design who wanted to tattoo through a wooden mold and charcoal in the desired place. Then he tattooist, with the help of a needle that frequently dipped in ink, outlined the drawing. Finally, the piece ended disinfecting it with wine.

A small place on Calle San Jorge

Tattoo shop interior

The interior of the oldest tattoo shop in the world (Source).

And this is where the Razzouk family go into action. Four generations ago the family settled in Jerusalem, although he has been tattooing much longer: his ancestors they learned the art of tattooing at Egypt and they have always been related to the church.

La family decided to settle in a small local in a cool and narrow alley, close to the center, but quiet, now proudly wearing a cartel demonstrating their more than seven hundred years of history.

A sad parenthesis

Tattooing

Unfortunately, in the mid-twentieth century, during the war Arab-Israeli, the Razzouk family had to flee to Jordan and the art of tattoos for pilgrims lost popularity. Upon returning, the family managed to maintain tattoo shop afloat for a couple of generations, but it seemed that none of the owner's children were going to take care of the family business.

But then one of the sons of the family, Wassim, it changed everything. its Passion for motorcycles led him to be interested in tattoos and for the ancient tradition of his family. Luckily he decided take over the store.

Final? happy for a family devoted to their art

Tattooing from behind

Since then, the Wassim's father He retired and his son took care of the store with his wife, who is also very fond of tattoos. The two learned new techniques y they modernized the storeAs well as designs and tools, so that the tradition stay alive through the modernity.

This family So peculiar she is not sure that her children want to continue with the business and they say that they are not going to pressure them. But they do not fear for their future, because they are convinced that the tradition and They will call them, as they called Wassim so long ago.

As you can see, the history of the oldest tattoo shop in the world It is exciting. And you, have you ever visited Razzouk ink? Did you expect me to have so much history? Share your opinion on the comments!


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