Immerse yourself in the grandeur of the past with this intricately detailed map of the Duchy of Luxembourg, meticulously crafted by Nicolaes Visscher II in 1690. Known as 'Ducatus Lutzenburgi: novissima et accuratissima delineatio', this map showcases the regions and political divisions of the larger modern day area of Luxembourg.
The map prominently features five key locations - the vibrant cities of Liège, Namur, Metz, and Trier, along with the expansive Ardennes Regional Nature Park. Each of these landmarks hold their own unique place in history, and their depiction on this map offers a fascinating insight into the geographical understanding of the time.
Liège, a major city in Belgium's Wallonia region, is beautifully represented, highlighting its significance as a cultural hub during the period. Namur, the capital of Wallonia, is also depicted, known for its strategic importance and the confluence of the rivers Sambre and Meuse. Metz, a city in northeast France, showcases its rich history, dating back to Roman times. Trier, Germany's oldest city, is also featured, known for its well-preserved Roman monuments. The Ardennes Regional Nature Park, spanning Belgium, Luxembourg, and France, is depicted in all its natural splendor, hinting at the diverse flora and fauna that it is home to.
The map's full name, 'Ducatus Lutzenburgi: novissima et accuratissima delineatio', translates to 'The Duchy of Luxembourg: the newest and most accurate depiction'. This suggests that the map was considered the most accurate representation of the Duchy of Luxembourg at the time of its creation. As such, it provides a unique window into the geographical and political understanding of the era, offering an intriguing exploration for any history or cartography enthusiast.
Some of the significant locations shown on this map:
Duchy of Luxembourg
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Luxembourg City: Founded in 963, it's the capital of Luxembourg, known for its fortified medieval old town perched on sheer cliffs.
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Echternach: The oldest town in Luxembourg, known for its Abbey and the Dancing Procession.
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Vianden: Known for the stunning Vianden Castle, one of the largest fortified castles west of the Rhine.
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Diekirch: Known for its brewing tradition and the National Museum of Military History.
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Wiltz: Known as the "Capital of the Ardennes", it's famous for the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fatima.
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Grevenmacher: Known for its vineyards and the annual Butterfly Garden.
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Remich: Known as the "Pearl of the Moselle" due to its wine-growing tradition.
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Esch-sur-Alzette: Known for its vibrant cultural scene and the Rockhal concert venue.
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Differdange: Known for its Differdange Castle, now hosting Miami University's Dolibois European Center.
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Dudelange: Known for the Dudelange Radio Tower, the tallest structure in Luxembourg.
Bishopric of Liège
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Liège: Founded in 705, it's known for its vibrant cultural scene and the beautiful Liège Cathedral.
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Verviers: Known for its wool and textile industry.
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Huy: Known for its Fort and the Notre-Dame collegiate church.
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Waremme: Known for its agricultural tradition and the St. Peter's Church.
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Seraing: Known for its steel industry and the Val Saint Lambert crystal factory.
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Herstal: Known as the "City of Weapons" for its arms industry.
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Chaudfontaine: Known for its natural hot springs and bottled water production.
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Oupeye: Known for its beautiful castle and the St. Clement's church.
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Visé: Known for its annual Goose Shooting festival and the St. Martin's church.
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Saint-Nicolas: Known for its vibrant shopping scene.
Duchy of Lorraine
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Metz: Founded in 300 BC, it's known for its Gothic Saint-Stephen Cathedral and the Centre Pompidou-Metz museum.
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Nancy: Known for its UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Place Stanislas, Place de la Carrière, and Place d'Alliance.
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Verdun: Known for the Battle of Verdun during WWI.
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Thionville: Known for its fortifications and the Thionville Bridge.
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Épinal: Known for its images printed on popular prints in the 19th century.
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Bar-le-Duc: Known for its Renaissance district and the Saint-Étienne church.
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Lunéville: Known for the Lunéville Castle, the "Versailles of Lorraine".
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Saint-Dié-des-Vosges: Known for its annual geography festival.
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Toul: Known for its fortified cathedral.
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Pont-à-Mousson: Known for its Renaissance architecture.
Notable natural attractions:
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Ardennes Regional Nature Park: Known for its forested plateau, it's a popular destination for hiking and bird-watching.
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Moselle River: Known for its wine-growing region along the river.
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Meuse River: Known for its beautiful valley and the Meuse Cycle Route.
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High Fens: Known for its unique high moor landscape.
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Hohes Venn-Eifel Nature Park: Known for its raised bogs and scenic beauty.
Historical events:
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Battle of White Mountain (1620): A significant battle in the Thirty Years' War, leading to the defeat of Frederick V.
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Franco-Dutch War (1672-1678): A war where France invaded the Dutch Republic, leading to significant territorial changes.
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Nine Years' War (1688-1697): A major war between Louis XIV of France and a European-wide coalition, the Grand Alliance.
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 all sizes: 12x16in (30.5x41cm), 16x20in (40.5x51cm), 18x24in (45.5x61cm), 24x30in (61x76cm), 32x40in (81.5x102cm), 40x50in (102x127cm), 48x60in (122x153cm) and 56x70in (142x178cm), but
it looks even better when printed large.
I can create beautiful, large prints of this map up to 90in (229cm). Please get in touch if you're looking for
larger, customised or different framing options.
The model in the listing images is holding the 16x20in (40.5x51cm) 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 of Europe and European cities 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.