Macedonia Epirus et Achaia, issued in 1659 by Willem Janszoon Blaeu, surveys the storied northern and western reaches of Greece together with adjoining Albania in a composition as scholarly as it is sumptuous. The eye is drawn first to a baroque cartouche brimming with allegorical figures and scrolling foliage, then out across a landscape animated by ships coursing the Aegean and Ionian waters and oriented by a bold compass rose. Political boundaries are neatly distinguished in color, while rivers, mountain chains, and coastal indentations are crisply named. Small insets introduce supplemental geographic detail, rewarding close study. This is a grand tableau of the Balkans at mid‑seventeenth century, capturing both the contours of power and the textures of place.

Blaeu—luminary of Amsterdam’s Golden Age of cartography—married meticulous measurement with painterly flourish. Trained in the precision-minded milieu that prized astronomical observation and mathematical projection, he distilled a wide array of sources, from classical authorities to contemporary itineraries and maritime charts, into lucid, balanced compositions. His maps were intended to delight the cultivated eye while guiding merchants, diplomats, and scholars through a politically complex, commercially vibrant world. In Macedonia Epirus et Achaia, that dual ambition shows in the careful calibration of toponyms, the measured sweep of coastlines, and the judicious hierarchy of place-names that privileges major ports and passes without sacrificing local texture.

The physical geography is rendered with vigor and clarity. Mountain systems rise in serried hachures—the Pindus forming the spine of Epirus, peaks shading toward the Macedonian hinterland, and storied Olympus looming near the Thessalian borderlands. Rivers carve intelligible corridors: the Axios (Vardar) and Strymon reach the northern Aegean; the Aliakmon meanders toward the Thermaic Gulf; the Aoös (Vjosë) and Arachthos drain Epirus into the Ionian. Lakes and enclosed waters, including the basin at Ioannina and the Ambracian Gulf, punctuate the west. Along the Peloponnesian approach of Achaia, embayments and the narrows near the Gulf of Corinth hint at strategic choke points long contested by traders and empires.

Settlement patterns unfold as a lattice keyed to terrain and sea lanes. Thessaloniki commands the northern seaboard as a mercantile and administrative pivot, while Ioannina nestles amid uplands whose resources and defensibility fostered a distinctive Epirote culture. Achaia’s littoral towns align with fertile plains and river mouths, their fortunes tied to coastal traffic and inland markets. Color-outlined jurisdictions suggest the fluid mosaics of Ottoman provincial governance, even as Venetian influence flickers along the Ionian maritime corridor. Market towns, fortified sites, and monasteries scatter through passes and valleys, revealing the pragmatic logic of movement and security in a rugged landscape.

As a historical document, the map fixes a moment when the Balkans lay at the crossroads of Ottoman administration, Venetian seapower, and enduring classical memory. Its insets invite deeper engagement with contested shores and craggy interiors, while the compass rose and animated shipping scenes evoke a world navigated as much by commerce and curiosity as by conquest. The decorative cartouche—with personifications, trophies, and an elaborate frame—embodies the seventeenth-century conviction that knowledge should be both exact and resplendent. In Blaeu’s hands, geography becomes a theatre of history: borders, rivers, and roads of influence engraved into a portrait of place that remains as instructive as it is beautiful.

Cities and towns on this map

• Thessaloniki (modern-day population: ~315,000)
• Athens (not directly shown, but relevant; modern-day population: ~664,000)
• Ioannina (modern-day population: ~100,000)
• Tirana (not shown, but relevant as a nearby modern city; modern-day population: ~800,000)

Notable Features & Landmarks

• Decorative cartouche featuring figures and an elaborate border.
• Major rivers and mountain ranges are clearly labeled.
• Political boundaries outlined in various colors.
• Insets showcasing additional geographic details.
• Illustrations of ships present in coastal waters.
• Compass rose indicating cardinal directions.

Historical and design context

• Creator: Willem Janszoon Blaeu
• Date: 1659
• Mapmaker Context: Willem Janszoon Blaeu was a renowned Dutch cartographer, known for producing high-quality maps during the 17th century. His work was characterized by meticulous detail and artistic flair.
• Design Style: Intricate detailing, decorative elements, and a baroque cartouche typical of the 17th century; engraving and coloring emphasize rivers and mountains.
• Historical Significance: Reflects 17th-century cartographic knowledge and artistic styles; documents the geopolitical landscape of the time.

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 90in (230cm). If you are looking for a larger map, please get in touch.

The model in the listing images is holding the 16x20in (40x50cm) 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.

For most orders, delivery time is about 3 working days. Personalised and customised products take longer, as I have to do the personalisation and send it to you for approval, which usually takes 1 or 2 days.

Please note that very large framed orders usually take longer to make and deliver. 

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 and artwork in 23 countries around the world. This means your order will be made locally, which cuts down on delivery time and ensures that it won't be damaged during delivery. You'll never pay customs or import duty, and we'll put less CO2 into the air.

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

I try to send out all orders within 1 or 2 days of receiving your order, though some products (like face masks, mugs and tote bags) 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).

Next Day delivery is also available in some countries (US, UK, Singapore, UAE) but please try to order early in the day so that we can get it sent out on time.

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, art and illustrations are also available as a framed canvas. We use matte (not shiny) cotton canvas, stretch it over a sustainably sourced box wood frame, and then 'float' the piece within a wood frame. The end result is quite beautiful, and there's no glazing to get in the way.

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 and artwork on canvas, foam board, cotton rag and other materials.

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

My maps are extremely high quality reproductions of original maps.

I source original, rare maps from libraries, auction houses and private collections around the world, restore them at my London workshop, and then use specialist giclée inks and printers to create beautiful maps that look even better than the original.

My maps are printed on acid-free archival matte (not glossy) paper that feels very high quality and almost like card. In technical terms the paper weight/thickness is 10mil/200gsm. It's perfect for framing.

I print with Epson ultrachrome giclée UV fade resistant pigment inks - some of the best inks you can find.

I can also make maps on canvas, cotton rag and other exotic materials.

Learn more about The Unique Maps Co.

Map personalisation

If you're looking for the perfect anniversary or housewarming gift, I can personalise your map to make it truly unique. For example, I can add a short message, or highlight an important location, or add your family's coat of arms.

The options are almost infinite. Please see my map personalisation page for some wonderful examples of what's possible.

To order a personalised map, select "personalise your map" before adding it to your basket.

Get in touch if you're looking for more complex customisations and personalisations.

Map ageing

I have been asked hundreds of times over the years by customers if they could buy a map that looks even older.

Well, now you can, by selecting Aged before you add a map to your basket.

All the product photos you see on this page show the map in its Original form. This is what the map looks like today.

If you select Aged, I will age your map by hand, using a special and unique process developed through years of studying old maps, talking to researchers to understand the chemistry of aging paper, and of course... lots of practice!

If you're unsure, stick to the Original colour of the map. If you want something a bit darker and older looking, go for Aged.

See some amazing examples of Aged maps.

If you are not happy with your order for any reason, contact me and I'll get it fixed ASAP, free of charge. Please see my returns and refund policy for more information.

I am very confident you will like your restored map or art print. I have been doing this since 1984. I'm a 5-star Etsy seller. I have sold tens of thousands of maps and art prints and have over 5,000 real 5-star reviews. My work has been featured in interior design magazines, on the BBC, and on the walls of dozens of 5-star hotels.

I use a unique process to restore maps and artwork that is massively time consuming and labour intensive. Hunting down the original maps and illustrations can take months. I use state of the art and eye-wateringly expensive technology to scan and restore them. As a result, I guarantee my maps and art prints are a cut above the rest. I stand by my products and will always make sure you're 100% happy with what you receive.

Almost all of my maps and art prints look amazing at large sizes (200cm, 6.5ft+) and I can frame and deliver them to you as well, via special oversized courier. Contact me to discuss your specific needs.