Old Map of Italy by Garnier, 1861: Unification, Rome, Milan, Venice, Alps, Po River

Step into the pivotal moment of Italian history with "Italie Limites En 1861," a masterwork by the esteemed French cartographer F.A. Garnier. Created in the very year of Italy’s unification, this map captures the dramatic transformation of the Italian peninsula as disparate kingdoms and duchies coalesced into a single nation. The original French title, elegantly scripted and framed by a decorative vignette, immediately evokes the grandeur and significance of this watershed year. Garnier’s meticulous attention to detail and his refined sense of artistry are evident in every wash of color and in every carefully rendered border.

Garnier’s map is more than a geographical record—it is a testament to the fervor and ambition of the Risorgimento, the movement that forged modern Italy. The map traces the recent conquests of Giuseppe Garibaldi, highlighting the annexation of Sicily, Southern Italy, Marche, and Umbria into the Kingdom of Sardinia. These events culminated in the proclamation of the Kingdom of Italy on March 17, 1861, a date forever enshrined in European history. The shifting borders are crisply delineated, showing not only the newly unified territories but also the vestiges of the Austrian Empire in Venetia and the diminished Papal States.

Every inch of the map is alive with the physical and political diversity of Italy. From the snow-capped Alps in the north to the rugged Apennines that snake down the peninsula, Garnier’s rendering of mountains and valleys is both accurate and evocative. The map’s network of roads and rivers—such as the mighty Po, the storied Arno, and the Tiber—invite the viewer to trace the arteries of commerce and culture that have shaped Italy’s destiny. The great lakes—Garda, Maggiore, and Como—are depicted in shimmering blue, while the surrounding seas, from the Ligurian to the Adriatic, frame the peninsula in a Mediterranean embrace.

A parade of illustrious cities and towns, each with its own storied past, are meticulously labeled. Rome, Milan, Naples, Turin, Palermo, Genoa, Florence, and Venice stand out as the great urban centers of the era, their names resonant with history and culture. The map also acknowledges the regional diversity of Italy, from the fertile plains of Lombardy to the sun-drenched coasts of Sicily and Sardinia. Even cities that were, at the time, under foreign rule—such as Trento and Trieste—are faithfully recorded, underscoring the incomplete nature of unification in 1861.

The artistry of Garnier’s cartography is matched only by the historical gravity of the moment he depicts. This map is not merely a navigational tool; it is a document of aspiration, struggle, and triumph. The elegant wash coloring, the precise demarcation of borders, and the harmonious blend of political and physical features all reflect Garnier’s mastery and his deep engagement with the world he mapped. For the discerning collector, "Italie Limites En 1861" offers both a window into the birth of a nation and a celebration of the cartographer’s enduring craft.

Cities and towns on this map

• Rome
• Naples
• Milan
• Turin
• Palermo
• Genoa
• Florence
• Venice
• Bologna
• Verona
• Messina
• Padua
• Bari
• Catania
• Livorno
• Parma
• Modena
• Ancona
• Ferrara
• Siena
• Pisa
• Ravenna
• Perugia
• Lucca
• Mantua
• Bergamo
• Cremona
• Vicenza
• Como
• Alessandria
• Novara
• Reggio Calabria
• Salerno
• Taranto
• Lecce
• Cagliari
• Sassari
• Trento (at the time under Austrian control)
• Trieste (at the time under Austrian control)

Notable Features & Landmarks

• Borders: Clearly delineated borders between the newly unified Kingdom of Italy and remaining territories such as Venetia (still under Austrian Empire control) and the reduced Papal States.
• Bodies of water: Mediterranean Sea, Adriatic Sea, Tyrrhenian Sea, Ligurian Sea, Gulf of Naples, Lake Garda, Lake Maggiore, Lake Como.
• Mountains: Clearly marked mountain ranges, notably the Alps in the north and the Apennines running down the length of the peninsula.
• Rivers: Major rivers clearly labeled, including the Po, Arno, and Tiber.
• Roads: Main roads and routes connecting major cities and regions are prominently depicted.
• Decorative elements: An ornate title vignette, typical of Garnier's style, enhancing the aesthetic appeal of the map.

Historical and design context

• Name of the map: Italie Limites En 1861
• Date of creation: 1861
• Mapmaker/Publisher: F.A. Garnier, a notable French publisher and cartographer active in the mid-19th century, known for detailed and decorative maps.
• The map depicts Italy shortly after the significant events of Italian unification, specifically after Giuseppe Garibaldi's successful annexation of Sicily, Southern Italy, Marche, and Umbria to the Kingdom of Sardinia, leading to the creation of the Kingdom of Italy on March 17, 1861.
• Themes depicted: Political boundaries, physical geography, transportation routes (roads), rivers, lakes, mountains, and administrative divisions (kingdoms and regions).
• Design and style: The map features elegant wash coloring, decorative title vignette, and detailed labeling, typical of mid-19th-century European cartographic style.
• The map captures a pivotal moment in European history, reflecting the political changes and territorial shifts that occurred during the Risorgimento, the Italian nationalist movement.

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 18x24in (45x60cm) 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 for a no-quibble refund.

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 4,000 real 5-star reviews.

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 - that's why I can offer a no-quibble refund.

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.