Presenting the "Damascus, urbs nobilissima ad Libanum montem Totius Syriae Metropolis," a captivating birds-eye view map created by the renowned cartographers Georg Braun and Frans Hogenberg in 1599. This exquisite map is part of the celebrated Civitates Orbis Terrarum, an atlas that provided a comprehensive view of urban life in the late 16th century. Damascus, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, is depicted in remarkable detail, showcasing its fortified walls, various buildings, and bustling public squares. The map is a testament to the city's historical significance and cultural prestige during the Ottoman rule.

The map intricately illustrates the layout of Damascus, highlighting its fortified walls and distinct neighborhoods. Each cluster of buildings represents different parts of the city, providing a glimpse into the urban planning and architectural styles of the time. Prominent landmarks, such as the mosques and public buildings, are meticulously detailed, offering a visual journey through the city's rich history. The presence of costumed locals and camels in the foreground adds a touch of daily life, making the map not just a geographical representation but a vivid portrayal of the city's vibrant culture.

Damascus' historical significance is further emphasized by its role as the capital of the Umayyad Caliphate from 661 to 750. The map captures the essence of a city that has witnessed numerous political and cultural transformations. After the victory of the Abbasid dynasty, the city's political importance waned, only to regain prominence during the Ayyubid and Mamluk periods. The Ottoman era brought both decay and cultural prestige, with the construction of significant monuments such as the Tekkiye al-Sulaimaniyah in 1560, designed by the famous Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan.

The map also showcases the natural beauty surrounding Damascus, with a mountainous backdrop and green areas that highlight the city's strategic location near the Libanus mountain range. Waterways running through and around the city are depicted, emphasizing the importance of these rivers in the city's development and daily life. The lush parks and gardens depicted on the map provide a glimpse into the recreational spaces enjoyed by the city's inhabitants, adding to the overall charm and allure of this historic city.

Georg Braun and Frans Hogenberg's work on the Civitates Orbis Terrarum is a monumental achievement in the history of cartography. Their collaboration brought together the talents of over 100 artists and topographers, resulting in an atlas that offers an incredibly comprehensive view of urban life in the late 16th century. This map of Damascus is a prime example of their dedication to detail and artistic excellence, making it a valuable addition to any collection of historical maps. It serves as a window into the past, allowing us to explore the rich history and cultural heritage of one of the world's most storied cities.

Streets and roads on this map

• Via Recta

Notable Features & Landmarks

• Illustrations:
• Costumed locals and camels in the foreground.
• Landmarks:
• The fortified walls of Damascus.
• Various prominent buildings, including what appears to be mosques and public buildings.
• Neighbourhoods:
• Distinct clusters of buildings representing different parts of the city.
• Large parks:
• Green areas surrounding the city walls.
• Other notable features:
• The mountainous backdrop.
• Waterways running through and around the city.

Historical and design context

• Name of the map: Damascus, urbs nobilissima ad Libanum montem Totius Syriae Metropolis
• Date of creation: 1599
• Mapmaker/Publisher: Georg Braun & Frans Hogenberg
• Interesting context about the mapmaker: Georg Braun and Frans Hogenberg began creating a comprehensive atlas of the cities of the world in 1572. Their work, Civitates Orbis Terrarum, included over 546 views and was edited by Georg Braun, with many engravings by Frans Hogenberg.
• Themes and topics shown on the map:
• City layout: Fortified walls, various buildings, public squares, and places of interest.
• Local life: Costumed locals and camels in the foreground.
• Historical significance: Damascus is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities, significant for its history as the capital of the Umayyad Caliphate and its role during the Ottoman rule.
• Countries and regions shown on the map: The map focuses specifically on the city of Damascus in Syria.
• Design and style context: Birds-eye view pictorial map, typical of the late 16th-century cartographic style, providing a detailed and artistic representation of urban life.
• Historical significance:
• Damascus' history: Chosen as the capital of the Umayyad Caliphate from 661 to 750, saw political decline during the Abbasid era, and regained importance during the Ayyubid and Mamluk periods.
• Ottoman rule: The city decayed but maintained cultural prestige. Key Ottoman monuments were constructed, such as the Tekkiye al-Sulaimaniyah in 1560.
• Civitates Orbis Terrarum: This work is a significant source for understanding urban life in the late 16th century, providing early views of many cities.

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 every size, but I always recommend going for a larger size if you have space. That way you can easily make out all of the details.

This map looks amazing at sizes all the way up to 50in (125cm). If you are looking for a larger map, please get in touch.

The model in the listing images is holding the 16x16in (40x40cm) 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 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.

This map is also available as a float framed canvas, sometimes known as a shadow gap framed canvas or canvas floater. The map is printed on artist's cotton canvas and then stretched over a handmade box frame. We then "float" the canvas inside a wooden frame, which is available in a range of colours (black, dark brown, oak, antique gold and white). This is a wonderful way to present a map without glazing in front. See some examples of float framed canvas maps and explore the differences between my different finishes.

For something truly unique, this map is also available in "Unique 3D", our trademarked process that dramatically transforms the map so that it has a wonderful sense of depth. We combine the original map with detailed topography and elevation data, so that mountains and the terrain really "pop". For more info and examples of 3D maps, check my Unique 3D page.