Rare Old Map of the Ottoman Empire by Visscher, 1690: Middle East, Southern Europe, Northeast Africa, Mediterranean Sea, Red Sea

Behold the majesty of 'Turcicum imperium', a captivating historical map that takes you back to the Ottoman Empire's expanse in the late 17th century. Crafted by the esteemed Nicolaes Visscher II, this map is a testament to the Dutch Golden Age's exceptional cartographic skills. The grandson of Claes Janszoon Visscher, one of the finest mapmakers of his time, Nicolaes Visscher II, imbued this map with an attention to detail and accuracy that was characteristic of his lineage. Translated to 'The Turkish Empire', this map encapsulates the vast territories of the Ottoman Empire, spanning from the Middle East to Southern Europe and Northeast Africa.

The 'Turcicum imperium' is not merely a map, but a vibrant canvas that paints a vivid picture of the world as it was known in 1690. It showcases significant cities, regions, and landmarks of the time, from the bustling Mediterranean Sea to the tranquil Red Sea. The map's intricacy extends to the depiction of political and administrative boundaries, waterways, canals, and even landmarks. It brings to life the grandeur of the Ottoman Empire, extending north to Hungary and Circassia, east to Persia, and encompassing the entirety of the Arabian Peninsula.

This map is a visual delight, adorned with a decorative title cartouche that adds to its aesthetic appeal. The relief shown pictorially adds a touch of realism, making the map more than just a representation of geographical locations. It's a historical document that offers a glimpse into the past, with each hand-colored outline telling a story of its own. From the towering mountains to the serene lakes, the 'Turcicum imperium' is a testament to the Ottoman Empire's vastness and diversity.

The 'Turcicum imperium' is more than a piece of art; it's a historical artifact that transports you back in time. It's a testament to the grandeur of the Ottoman Empire, a time capsule that encapsulates the geopolitical landscape of the 17th century. With its intricate details and stunning visuals, this map is a treasure trove for history buffs, map enthusiasts, and anyone with an appreciation for the past. Whether you're a collector or simply someone who appreciates the beauty of historical maps, the 'Turcicum imperium' is a piece that promises to be a conversation starter.

Some of the significant locations shown on this map:

Middle East 1. Constantinople (Istanbul) - Known as the capital of the Ottoman Empire, it was a major hub of trade and culture. 2. Baghdad - An important center of the Islamic Golden Age during the Abbasid Caliphate. 3. Damascus - Known as the capital of the Umayyad Caliphate and one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. 4. Jerusalem - A city of immense religious significance for Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. 5. Mecca - The birthplace of Muhammad and the site of the Kaaba, the holiest shrine of Islam. 6. Medina - The final resting place of Muhammad and the second holiest city in Islam. 7. Cairo - The capital of Egypt and one of the largest cities in Africa. 8. Aleppo - One of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. 9. Basra - A major port city in southern Iraq. 10. Tabriz - The capital city of East Azerbaijan Province, in northwestern Iran.

Southern Europe 1. Athens - The capital of Greece and one of the world's oldest cities. 2. Thessaloniki - The second-largest city in Greece and a major economic, industrial, commercial and political center. 3. Sofia - The capital and largest city of Bulgaria. 4. Belgrade - The capital of Serbia, it has been inhabited since the Paleolithic Age. 5. Bucharest - The capital and largest city of Romania. 6. Budapest - The capital and most populous city of Hungary. 7. Vienna - The capital of Austria, known for its cultural events, imperial sights, coffee houses, cozy wine taverns, and the very special Viennese charm. 8. Prague - The capital of the Czech Republic and one of the largest cities in the European Union. 9. Venice - Known for its beauty, architecture, and artwork, it played an essential role in the Renaissance. 10. Naples - The third-largest city of Italy and the largest city of Southern Italy.

Northeast Africa 1. Alexandria - Founded by Alexander the Great, it was the capital of the Greco-Roman Egypt. 2. Cairo - The capital of Egypt and one of the largest cities in Africa. 3. Luxor - Known as Thebes in ancient times, it was the capital of Egypt during parts of the Pharaonic period. 4. Aswan - A strategic location that housed the stone quarries used to build the Pyramids. 5. Khartoum - The capital of Sudan, where the Blue and White Nile rivers meet. 6. Mogadishu - The capital and most populous city of Somalia. 7. Massawa - A port city on the Red Sea, it was the capital of the Italian Colony of Eritrea. 8. Gondar - Once the capital of the Ethiopian Empire. 9. Axum - An ancient city that was once the center of the Aksumite Empire. 10. Harar - Considered the fourth holiest city of Islam.

Notable Natural Phenomena 1. Nile River - The longest river in the world, it was vital for the civilization of Ancient Egypt. 2. Danube River - Europe's second-longest river, it flows through ten countries. 3. Red Sea - A seawater inlet of the Indian Ocean, lying between Africa and Asia. 4. Mediterranean Sea - Connected to the Atlantic Ocean, it's almost completely enclosed by land. 5. Mount Ararat - The highest peak in Turkey, it's traditionally associated with the mountain where Noah's Ark came to rest.

Notable Historical Events (1600-1690) 1. The Battle of Vienna (1683) - The Ottoman Empire was defeated by the Holy Roman Empire, marking the beginning of the end of Ottoman expansion into Europe. 2. The Cretan War (1645-1669) - A conflict between the Ottoman Empire and the Venetian Republic over control of Crete. 3. The Treaty of Karlowitz (1699) - Ended the hostilities between the Ottoman Empire and the Holy League, a coalition of various European powers. The treaty significantly reduced the territory of the Ottoman Empire in Europe.

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.

For most orders, delivery time is about 3 working days. Personalised and custom made maps take longer, as I have to do the personalisation and send it to you for approval, which usually takes a day or two.

Please note that for larger framed orders (over 40in/100cm), and some other framed sizes, the delivery time will be closer to 7-10 days.

If you need your order to arrive by a certain date, please contact me before you order so that we can find the best way of making sure you get your order in time.

I print and frame maps in 22 countries around the world. This means your map will be made locally, which cuts down on delivery time and reduces the chance of your map being damaged during delivery. There won't be any extra taxes or duties to pay, and we'll put less CO2 into the air.

All of my maps are well packaged and sent in a rugged tube if unframed, or surrounded by foam if framed.

I try to send out all maps within 1 or 2 days of receiving your order, though some products (like face masks or mugs) can take longer to make.

If you select Express Delivery at checkout your order we will prioritise your order and send it out by 1-day courier (Fedex, DHL, UPS, Parcelforce).

We can sometimes do next-day delivery if you order before 10am. But usually it's best to contact me first before you order.

Read my full delivery and local production guide

My standard frame is a gallery style black ash hardwood frame. It is simple and quite modern looking. My standard frame is around 20mm (0.8in) wide.

I use super-clear acrylic (perspex/acrylite) for the frame glass. It's lighter and safer than glass - and it looks better, as the reflectivity is lower.

Six standard frame colours are available for free (black, dark brown, dark grey, oak, white and antique gold). Custom framing and mounting/matting is available if you're looking for something else.

Most maps are also available as a framed canvas. The map is printed on matte (not shiny) canvas, stretched over a box frame, and then 'floated' within a simple wood frame. The end result is quite beautiful, and there's no glazing in front of your map.

All frames are provided "ready to hang", with either a string or brackets on the back. Very large frames will have heavy duty hanging plates and/or a mounting baton. If you have any questions, please get in touch.

See some examples of my framed maps and framed canvas maps.

Alternatively, I can also supply old maps on canvas, foam board, cotton rag and other materials.

If you want to frame your map yourself, please read my map size guide first.