1638 Campia. Campen.
By: Matthaus Merian
Date: 1638 (published) Frankfurt
Dimensions: 8.2 x 12.7 inches (20.8 x 32.3 cm)
Campen (aka Kampen) is one of the few Hansa Towns in the Netherlands. This typically organized and well-fortified small city depicted by Merian was a member of the powerful medieval Hanseatic League.
The League was created by governments and seafaring merchants in order to better organize trade in northern Europe, eventually evolving into a powerful political power. It also served as a strong line of defense against piracy. The League included around 150 cities and seven countries along the North Sea and Baltic Sea area. The cities were commonly organized in the fashion depicted by Merian, with high walls built near the sea and moats or rivers as a second line of defense.
Hansa Towns were prosperous, and many have retained their Middle Ages charm, including monuments and medieval housing. Kampen today is charming and quiet, with beautiful churches, cobbled streets and atmospheric panoramas, resembling other member towns such as Tallinn in Estonia, Vilnius in Lithuania, and Riga, Latvia
The Hansa Towns were prosperous places and you can see that when you visit their history-filled streets. They are rich in monuments and beautiful old houses. Kampen is very charming, friendly and quiet. As soon as you cross the cool bridge from the train station to the city, you go back in time as you walk the ancient cobbled streets of Kampen.
Condition: This map is in A condition offering a lovely uncolored image with some light foxing in wide margins.
Inventory #12177
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