1558 Sito & Figura di Francofordia citta, come e nel 1546.
By: Sebastian Münster
Date: 1558 (Published) Basel
Dimensions: 9.75 x 15.5 inches (24.8 x 39.4 cm)
This decorative map of Frankfurt am Main and its environs is from the rare Italian edition of polymath Sebastian Münster’s Cosmographiae Universalis. A woodblock engraving, the map provides an excellent view of the city as it was in 1546, the date indicated in the title.
The bird's eye perspective provides a highly detailed view of the houses, churches, and cathedral within the city walls, along with boats, weirs and bridges on the river. The great Saint Bartholomew’s Cathedral, originally dating to the early 14th century stands high above the surrounding buildings, its remarkably high towers dwarfing nearby buildings.
The city walls and guard towers are depicted, along with the moats which encircled both sides of the city built on the banks of the River Main. The city is shown to be surrounded by agricultural plots which would have served to help feed the populace.
Frankfurt was the seat of the emperors of the Holy Roman Empire for centuries. The Pfalz (imperial castle) served as an important royal residence of the East Frankish Carolingians from the 9th century through later medieval times. In 1356 Emperor Charles IV designated Frankfurt as the permanent site for the election of German kings. A great fair has taken place in the city for over a thousand years. So important was it, that visitors to the fair in the Middle Ages would outnumber residents of the city. Frankfurt has been an important financial and commercial centre since the mid 15th century.
The map is highly decorative, embellished by a large coat of arms, two cartouches containing legends for identifying landmarks held aloft by putti, and a unique compass floating in the river. Descriptive text in Italian on verso.
Condition: This map is in B condition. Slight fading in small area of image. Text on verso visible in places on recto, primarily in upper margin.
Inventory #12865
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