"Gallipolis", Braun & Hogenberg

Braun & Hogenberg's Civitates Orbis Terrarum or "Cities of the World" was published between 1572 and 1617. Within the six volumes, 531 towns and cities were depicted on 363 plates, providing the reader with the pleasures of travel without the attendant discomforts. Braun wrote in the preface to the third book, "What could be more pleasant than, in one's own home far from all danger, to gaze in these books at the universal form of the earth . . . adorned with the splendor of cities and fortresses and, by looking at pictures and reading the texts accompanying them, to acquire knowledge which could scarcely be had but by long and difficult journeys?" Braun and Hogenberg incorporated an astonishing wealth of information into each scene beyond the city layout and important buildings. The plates provide an impression of the economy and prominent occupations, and illustrate local costumes, manners and customs.

This bird's-eye plan of Gallipoli is oriented with north in the lower right corner. It shows the heavily fortified town, which was built on a rocky island in the Ionian Sea. Throughout history it has been a strategic port and thriving commercial center, as evidenced by the variety of ships shown in the engraving. Latin text on verso.

References: Fussel, pp. 425-27.

Condition: B

Original color with one tiny wormhole in the city at top, an archivally repaired edge tear at bottom that extends 0.5" into the image, and some soiling. There are small abrasions and some stains in the cartouche at bottom left.