This 1577 printed map provides a bird’s eye view of Magdeburg, a central city in Germany situated along the Elbe. When Braun and Hogenberg decided to include Magdeburg in their city atlas, it was one of the “largest and most prosperous German cities.” First published in the 16th century, the Civitates orbis terrarum was the first six-volume atlas to include maps of town views and plans around the world; the Magdeburg map was included in the first volume, published in Latin. Magdeburg is printed on a two-page opening and is preceded by a one-page written description of the town in Latin and minimal Greek. The map is oriented East-up, placing the city within its walls and is surrounded by vast fields and smaller neighboring towns. Most remarkable are the four people in the foreground on a hill. Many other maps in the atlas also included figures showcasing local attire and may even point out socioeconomic differences depending on what the figure is doing and wearing. The large cartouche on the bottom-left corner is in Latin, when translated, it explains how Magdeburg was 1) once called Parthenopolis, 2) is the capital of Saxony, and 3) is known for its city walls and proximity to the Elbe. The Magdeburg Coat of Arms can be seen in the upper-right portion of the map, depicting a maiden standing on a city wall, in between two towers, holding a wreath above her head. The 1572 version of the map was copper engraved and later hand-colored. Developed in parallel with Ortelius’ Theatrum orbis terrarum, the Civitates orbis terrarum atlas consisted of copies of maps from printed models or unpublished primary sources. While Hogenberg did engrave this particular version of the Magdeburg map, it was more than likely not an original creation. Following the second volume of the atlas, named De præcipius, totius universi urbibus liber secundus, maps contained in the expanding atlas now included illustrations sent in by readers. In total, the different versions of the atlas all included under the Civitates orbis terrarum title contain 363 maps. (Crisitina Camarillo '23 and Jacob Sanders '25)
Braun, Georg, and Frans Hogenberg. “Magdeburgum.” Coloniae Agrippinae [Cologne: Apud Godefridum Kempensem, 1577.
Special Collections, Carleton College, Northfield, MN
Rights for maps held by individual publishers and institutions. Thumbnails displayed constitute fair use.
Sheet map removed from atlas. 32 x 42 cm
Carleton Library Special Collections (Flat Files) (G5700 1400-1800 Map 08)