This rare miniature bird's-eye view depicts Constantinople in impressive detail. It originally appeared in Rosaccio's Viaggio da Venetia, a Costantinopoli (1598), a pictorial guide book for travelers in the eastern Mediterranean Sea. Among the recognizable architectural landmarks pictured on the map are the Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, the Column of Constantinople, Maiden's Tower, and Fatih Mosque (in its original design, before it was damaged in the earthquake of 1766). Pera (Beyoglu) appears across the Golden Horn. A compass rose appears in the stippled sea at left.

References: Shirley (BL Atlases) T.ROS-3a #76.

Condition: B+

A nice impression with light soiling that enters map image at bottom right and a light dampstain that is only visible in the top right margin. A previous owner has outlined the edges of the view in black ink, and there are several other ink notations in the blank margins. The top, left, and right edges of the sheet are reinforced with archival materials on verso.