Old Map of Geneva by SDUK, 1870: Lake Geneva, Rhone River, Jardin Botanique, Massive Bastion Fort Fortifications
This 1870 map of Geneva, Switzerland, published by SDUK, is a cartographic masterpiece that captures the essence of this historic city. The map’s intricate details and precise craftsmanship reflect the skill and artistry of its makers.
Geneva, a city nestled at the southwestern tip of Lake Geneva, is the second-most populous city in Switzerland. It is renowned for its natural beauty, cultural heritage, and international organizations such as the United Nations and the Red Cross. This map showcases Geneva’s urban layout, with its distinct neighborhoods, landmarks, and the meandering Rhône River that bisects the city.
The map’s central focus is the old town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This area is characterized by its narrow cobbled streets, medieval architecture, and historic landmarks such as St. Pierre Cathedral and the Town Hall. The map also highlights the Jardin Botanique, a botanical garden founded in the 19th century and known for its diverse plant collections.
Beyond the old town, the map extends to the surrounding neighborhoods, including Les Pâquis, Eaux-Vives, and Champel. These areas feature a mix of residential, commercial, and institutional buildings, reflecting Geneva’s diverse urban fabric. The map also depicts the city’s extensive fortifications, particularly the Bastion Fort fortifications, which played a crucial role in defending Geneva throughout history.
This map is not only a valuable historical document but also a work of art that captures the essence of Geneva’s rich history and vibrant urban landscape. It serves as a testament to the skill and artistry of the cartographers who created it and offers a glimpse into the city’s past, making it a captivating addition to any collection of antique maps.
This is an old map, and not every modern place is shown, or they may be on the map with a different name. If this was a modern map, covering the same area, the following things would be visible on the map:
Neighbourhoods:
- Acacias
- Champel
- Eaux-Vives
- Grottes
- Jonction
- Malagnou
- Pâquis
- Plainpalais
- Servette
- St-Gervais
- Vieille-Ville
Major Streets:
- Boulevard Carl-Vogt
- Boulevard de Saint-Georges
- Boulevard des Philosophes
- Boulevard du Pont-d’Arve
- Grand-Rue
- Quai du Mont-Blanc
- Quai Gustave-Ador
- Rue de Carouge
- Rue de Lausanne
- Rue du Rhône
- Rue du Stand
Major Parks:
- Jardin Anglais
- Jardin Botanique
- Parc des Eaux-Vives
- Parc de la Grange
- Parc Mon-Repos
Historic Landmarks:
- Bastion Park
- Cathédrale Saint-Pierre
- Hôtel de Ville
- Jet d’Eau
- Monument Brunswick
- Palais des Nations
- Pont du Mont-Blanc
- Temple de Saint-Gervais
- Théâtre de Genève
- Université de Genève
All Labelled Places:
- Acacias
- Ancienne Poste
- Bastion Park
- Boulevard Carl-Vogt
- Boulevard de Saint-Georges
- Boulevard des Philosophes
- Boulevard du Pont-d’Arve
- Cathédrale Saint-Pierre
- Champel
- Collège Calvin
- Eaux-Vives
- Grand-Rue
- Grottes
- Hôtel de Ville
- Jardin Anglais
- Jardin Botanique
- Jonction
- Malagnou
- Monument Brunswick
- Musée Rath
- Palais des Nations
- Pâquis
- Parc des Eaux-Vives
- Parc de la Grange
- Parc Mon-Repos
- Plainpalais
- Pont du Mont-Blanc
- Quai du Mont-Blanc
- Quai Gustave-Ador
- Rue de Carouge
- Rue de Lausanne
- Rue du Rhône
- Rue du Stand
- Servette
- St-Gervais
- Temple de Saint-Gervais
- Théâtre de Genève
- Université de Genève
- Vieille-Ville
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.
Please note: the labels on this map are hard to read if you order a map that is 16in (40cm) or smaller. The map is still very attractive, but if you would like to read the map easily, please buy a larger size.
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.
