Rare Old Map of Poland by Visscher, 1690: Warsaw, Vilnius, Minsk, Vienna, Kyiv

Immerse yourself in the intricate details of the 'Tabula nova totius regni Poloniae' map, a testament to the mapmaking prowess of Nicolaes Visscher II. This remarkable piece of cartography, created in 1690, offers a fascinating glimpse into the political landscape of the time, with its focus on Poland and the surrounding regions. Visscher, a renowned mapmaker from the Dutch Golden Age, skillfully delineates the various provinces and duchies, capturing the complexities of the era with remarkable precision.

The map's full name, translated from Latin, reads 'New Table of the Entire Kingdom of Poland: in which are the Duchies and Provinces of Prussia, Cujavia, Mazovia, Black Russia, etc., Duchy of Lithuania, Ukraine, etc., in which Volhynia, and Podolia, with their Palatinates and borders'. This expansive coverage offers a comprehensive view of the region, encompassing not just Poland, but also parts of modern-day Belarus, Ukraine, Lithuania, and Russia.

Five major cities prominently feature on this map - Warsaw, Vilnius, Minsk, Vienna, and Kyiv. Each city holds its own historical significance, from Warsaw's role as the political heart of Poland to Vienna's status as a hub of cultural and intellectual life. The map also showcases other notable landmarks and geographical features, painting a vivid picture of the region's diverse topography and cultural milieu.

This map is more than just a navigational tool; it's a historical document that narrates the geopolitical narratives of the late 17th century. Whether you're a history enthusiast, a cartography aficionado, or simply someone who appreciates the beauty of old maps, this piece will make a valuable addition to your collection. Explore the intricate details of this map and let it transport you back in time to the fascinating world of the 17th-century Eastern Europe.

Some of the significant locations shown on this map:

Duchies and Provinces of Prussia

• Königsberg (now Kaliningrad): Founded in 1255, it was the capital of the Duchy of Prussia. Known for its University, established in 1544.
• Danzig (now Gdańsk): Founded in the 10th century, it was an important seaport and shipbuilding town.

Cujavia

• Inowrocław: Founded in the 13th century, it was a significant salt mining center.

Mazovia

• Warsaw: Founded in the 13th century, it became the capital of Poland in 1596.
• Płock: Founded in the 10th century, it was the former capital of Mazovia.

Black Russia

• Minsk: Founded in 1067, it was a major center of trade and crafts.

Duchy of Lithuania

• Vilnius: Founded in 1323, it was the capital of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania.
• Kaunas: Founded in the 14th century, it was a significant center of the Lithuanian economy.

Ukraine

• Kyiv: Founded in the 5th century, it was one of the largest cities of 15th century Europe.
• Lviv: Founded in 1256, it was a major trade and cultural center.

Volhynia

• Lutsk: Founded in 1085, it was a significant center of the Orthodox Church.
• Zhytomyr: Founded in the 9th century, it was an important trading post.

Podolia

• Kamianets-Podilskyi: Founded in the 14th century, it was a significant fortress town.
• Vinnytsia: Founded in 1363, it was a major center of trade.

Notable boundaries, rivers, and natural phenomena

• Vistula River: The longest river in Poland, a significant trade route.
• Dnieper River: One of the major rivers in Europe, flowing through Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine.
• Białowieża Forest: An ancient woodland straddling the border between Poland and Belarus.
• Carpathian Mountains: A significant mountain range in Central and Eastern Europe.
• Masurian Lake District: Known for its 2,000 lakes, it's a popular tourist destination.

Notable historical events (1600-1690)

• The Battle of Kircholm (1605): One of the major battles in the Polish-Swedish War.
• The Smolensk War (1632-1634): A conflict for control of Smolensk, originally part of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, but claimed by Russia.
• The Khmelnytsky Uprising (1648-1654): A Cossack rebellion in the eastern part of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, which led to the creation of a Cossack Hetmanate in Ukrainian lands.

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.