Thurn and Taxis was a prominent European postal service that originated in the late 15th century. Founded by the Thurn and Taxis family, it established a network for mail delivery across the Holy Roman Empire and beyond. The service was known for its efficiency and reliability, playing a crucial role in communication during a time when travel was slow and dangerous. The family was granted exclusive rights to operate postal services in various regions, which allowed them to expand their operations significantly. Over the years, Thurn and Taxis became synonymous with postal innovation, contributing to the development of modern postal systems in Europe.