Antique map - bird's-eye view plan of Lisbon (Lisboa) by Braun and Hogenberg c. 1610
Olissippo quae nunc Lisboa, Civitas Amplissima Lusitaniae ...
Item Number: 14601 Authenticity Guarantee
Category: Antique maps > Europe > Spain and Portugal
Antique map - bird's-eye view plan of Lisbon (Lisboa) by Braun and Hogenberg, with key to locations.
TRANSLATION OF CAPTION: Olisippo, which is today called Lisbon, the largest city of Lusitania, situated on the Tejo. The most moted centre of trade for the entire Orient, for many islands, for Africa and America.
COMMENTARY BY BRAUN: "In historical times there where two cities we might call "Ruler of the oceans and the high seas", from where ships could set sail for the East and the West: one is Seville, the other Lisbon. [...] Lisbon is one of three episcopal cities within the Kingdom of Spain, whose main church, the Catedral Se Patriarcal, is magnificently decorated and worth seeing."
The combination of side view and bird's-eye view emphasizes the city's geographical situation. A legend allows us to identify famous buildings such as the Castelo de São Jorge (1) on the skyline, which was conquered by the Moors early on, in the 8th century AD, and restored to Portuguese possession by Alfonso I as late as 1147. Today the ruined fortress offers the best view of the city. Beneath it lies the Romanesque and Gothic cathedral of Se Patriarcal (79). Lying immediately beside the Tejo is the Lower Town of Baixa, bounded by the hill bearing ther fortress and the Upper Town of Bairro Alto. As two-thirds of Lisbon was destroyed by an earthquake on 1 November 1755, the illustrations in the Civitates orbis terrarum provide important records of the city's former appearance. After the earthquake, the Lower Town was rebuilt in the style of the 18th century. (Taschen)
Date of the first edition: 1596/97
Date of this map: c. 1610
Copper engraving
Size: 36.5 x 47cm (14.2 x 18.2 inches)
Verso text: French
Condition: Old coloured, excellent.
Condition Rating: A
References: Van der Krogt 4, 2399 State 2; Taschen, Braun and Hogenberg, p.350.
From: Théâtre des Principales Villes de tout l'Univers. Tome 5. c. 1610.