Tattooing is not just a form of body art; it is an ancient tradition that has traveled across generations, cultures, and continents. Some tattoo studios have not only witnessed this evolution, but are a living part of history itself. Below, we present the three oldest tattoo studios in the world, authentic temples of tattooing where ink tells legends.

1. Razzouk Tattoo (Jerusalem, Palestine) – Since 1300

Razzouk Tattoo is not only the oldest tattoo studio in the world, it is a true historical institution in the world of tattooing. Founded by the Razzouk family, originally from Egypt and specializing in Coptic Christian tattoos, this studio has been tattooing Christian pilgrims in Jerusalem since the 14th century.

For more than 700 years and 27 generations, the Razzouks have tattooed religious symbols, such as the Coptic cross or icons of Jerusalem, on the skin of travelers and devotees. Even today, the studio is run by Wassim Razzouk, who keeps the tradition alive by using the ancient wooden stamps inherited from his ancestors, combined with modern professional tattooing techniques.

Razzouk Tattoo represents the fusion between spirituality, tradition, and art, and is the world's leading exponent of historical tattooing.

2. Tattoo Ole (Copenhagen, Denmark) – Founded in 1884

Although modern compared to Razzouk, Tattoo Ole holds the title of Europe's oldest continuously operating tattoo studio. Founded in 1884 by Ole Hansen, this studio began on the docks of Nyhavn, tattooing mainly sailors.

Since then, it has been a beacon of traditional European tattooing, with a nautical aesthetic and old-school designs that continue to attract tattoo enthusiasts from around the world. The place is steeped in history, with walls covered in classic flash tattoos, antique tattoo machines, and that unmistakable smell of ink that intoxicates tattoo lovers.

3. Lyle Tuttle Tattoo Studio (San Francisco, USA) – Founded in 1949

Lyle Tuttle was a pioneer of modern tattooing in the United States, and his studio, opened in 1949, became a global benchmark. Known for tattooing rock stars such as Janis Joplin and for defending tattooing during a time of cultural repression, Tuttle helped legitimize tattooing as an art form.

His studio in San Francisco still functions as a living museum of American tattooing, with an impressive collection of machines, designs, and historical documents. Although Tuttle passed away in 2019, his legacy remains tattooed on the skin of Western tattoo history.

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