Old Birdseye Map of Lisbon by Braun, 1596: Castelo de São Jorge, Catedral Se, Baixa, Bairro Alto, Tagus River
“Olissippo quae nunc Lisboa, civitas amplissima Lusitaniae, ad Tagum, totius Orientis, et multarum Insularum Aphricaeque et Mericae emporium nobilissimum,” a masterful creation by Georg Braun in 1596, offers a mesmerizing bird’s-eye view of Lisbon. This map, a gem from the “Civitates Orbis Terrarum,” captures the essence of Lisbon before the devastating 1755 earthquake. It vividly portrays the city’s grandeur, with its bustling streets and intricate architecture, reflecting its pivotal role as a trade center connecting Europe with the Orient, Africa, and the Americas. The detailed engraving not only serves as a historical testament but also as a visual delight for any map enthusiast.
Lisbon, depicted here, was a beacon of maritime exploration and trade during the Age of Discovery. The map highlights the city’s significant neighborhoods, such as the Lower Town (Baixa) and the Upper Town (Bairro Alto), showcasing their unique layouts and architectural splendor. The intricate street patterns and the detailed depiction of buildings provide a fascinating glimpse into the urban planning and daily life of 16th-century Lisbon. This map is a window into the past, preserving the city’s historical and cultural heritage in exquisite detail.
Among the notable landmarks, the Castelo de São Jorge stands prominently, marked as number 1 on the map. This fortress, once a Moorish stronghold, was reconquered by Alfonso I in 1147 and has since been a symbol of Lisbon’s resilience and strategic importance. Another significant landmark is the Catedral Se Patriarcal, marked as number 79, renowned for its Romanesque and Gothic architecture. These landmarks, along with the detailed portrayal of the Tagus River and the bustling maritime activity, underscore Lisbon’s historical significance and its role as a gateway to the world.
The map’s artistic and historical value is further enhanced by its detailed illustrations, including the ships navigating the Tagus River, which emphasize Lisbon’s maritime prowess. The coats of arms and the compass rose add to the map’s aesthetic appeal and historical context. This blend of artistry and cartographic precision makes this map not only a valuable historical document but also a captivating piece of art.
Georg Braun, the mastermind behind this map, was a prominent cartographer and publisher known for his meticulous work on the “Civitates Orbis Terrarum.” His maps are celebrated for their accuracy, detail, and artistic quality. This particular map of Lisbon is a testament to his skill and dedication, offering a rich, immersive experience of one of Europe’s most historically significant cities. Owning this map is akin to holding a piece of history, a tangible connection to the vibrant past of Lisbon.
Streets and roads on this map
- Rua Nova dos Mercadores
- Rua do Arsenal
- Rua dos Bacalhoeiros
- Rua da Prata
- Rua Augusta
- Rua da Madalena
- Rua de São Julião
- Rua dos Fanqueiros
- Rua dos Douradores
- Rua dos Correeiros
- Rua dos Sapateiros
- Rua da Betesga
- Rua do Ouro
- Rua da Conceição
- Rua do Comércio
- Rua de Santa Justa
- Rua de São Nicolau
- Rua do Carmo
- Rua Garrett
- Rua do Crucifixo
- Rua Nova do Almada
- Rua da Vitória
- Rua do Alecrim
- Rua das Flores
- Rua do Salitre
- Rua da Esperança
- Rua de São Paulo
- Rua dos Remolares
- Rua de São Bento
- Rua da Rosa
Notable Features & Landmarks
- Castelo de São Jorge (1): A historically significant fortress, previously a Moorish stronghold.
- Catedral Se Patriarcal (79): Known for its Romanesque and Gothic architecture.
- Lower Town (Baixa): Depicted in the map’s detailed portrayal of Lisbon’s urban landscape.
- Upper Town (Bairro Alto): Another significant area shown in the map.
- Ships in the Tagus River: Illustrates the maritime activity and importance of Lisbon as a trade center.
- Coats of arms: Two coats of arms are depicted in the top corners of the map.
- Compass rose: Located near the top center, indicating directions.
Historical and design context
- Name of the map: Olissippo quae nunc Lisboa, civitas amplissima Lusitaniae, ad Tagum, totius Orientis, et multarum Insularum Aphricaeque et Mericae emporium nobilissimum.
- Creation date: 1596
- Mapmaker/Publisher: Georg Braun
- Context about the mapmaker: Georg Braun was a notable cartographer and publisher, known for his work on the “Civitates Orbis Terrarum,” a comprehensive atlas of city maps and views.
- Themes shown on the map:
- Cityscape and architecture: The map provides a bird’s-eye view of Lisbon’s architecture and urban landscape before the 1755 earthquake.
- Maritime exploration and trade: Highlights Lisbon’s role as a major trade center connecting the Orient, various islands, Africa, and America.
- Historical landmarks: Includes significant landmarks such as Castelo de São Jorge and Catedral Se Patriarcal.
- Countries and regions shown:
- Lisbon, Portugal: The map focuses on the city of Lisbon, depicting its layout and key features.
- Design/Style:
- Bird’s-eye view: Combines side and bird’s-eye views to capture the essence of Lisbon.
- Detailed engraving: Rich in detail, illustrating the city’s topography and urban landscape.
- Historical significance:
- Pre-1755 earthquake Lisbon: Provides a valuable glimpse into the city’s architecture and layout before the catastrophic earthquake.
- Maritime importance: Reflects Lisbon’s significance in global commerce and navigation during the era of exploration and cultural exchange.
Please double check the images to make sure that a specific town or place is shown on this map. You can also get in touch and ask us to check the map for you.
This map looks great at every size, but I always recommend going for a larger size if you have space. That way you can easily make out all of the details.
This map looks amazing at sizes all the way up to 70in (180cm). If you are looking for a larger map, please get in touch.
The model in the listing images is holding the 16x20in (40x50cm) version of this map.
The fifth listing image shows an example of my map personalisation service.
If you’re looking for something slightly different, check out my collection of the best old maps to see if something else catches your eye.
Please contact me to check if a certain location, landmark or feature is shown on this map.
This would make a wonderful birthday, Christmas, Father’s Day, work leaving, anniversary or housewarming gift for someone from the areas covered by this map.
This map is available as a giclée print on acid free archival matte paper, or you can buy it framed. The frame is a nice, simple black frame that suits most aesthetics. Please get in touch if you’d like a different frame colour or material. My frames are glazed with super-clear museum-grade acrylic (perspex/acrylite), which is significantly less reflective than glass, safer, and will always arrive in perfect condition.
