Rare Old Map of the Danube River: Visscher, 1690: Mouth to Source, Vienna, Budapest, Prague, Bucharest, Zagreb

This exquisite map, 'Danubius Fluvius Europae Maximus, a Fontibus Ad Ostia : Cum omnibus Fluminibus, ab utroque latere, in illum defluentibus', was meticulously crafted by Nicolaes Visscher II in 1690. Translated from Latin, the title means 'The Danube, the Greatest River of Europe, from the Sources to the Mouths: With all the Rivers, on both sides, flowing into it'. This map is a testament to Visscher's cartographic skill and a reflection of the era's keen interest in geography and exploration.

The focus of this map is the Danube River, Europe's second longest river, stretching from its source to its mouth. The river winds its way through various regions, serving as a crucial waterway for trade and transport. The map captures the river's journey through diverse landscapes and across political borders, revealing a fascinating snapshot of Europe during the late 17th century.

Significant cities along the Danube River are beautifully illustrated, including Vienna, Budapest, Prague, Bucharest, and Zagreb. Each city is depicted with a remarkable level of detail, showcasing Visscher's ability to combine artistic elements with geographical accuracy. These cities, some of which were important centers of power during the period, provide a historical context to the map and a glimpse into the political dynamics of the time.

In addition to the cities, the map also features various landmarks and geographical features. The intricate network of rivers flowing into the Danube is carefully charted, demonstrating the interconnectedness of the region. The map offers a comprehensive view of the Danube's catchment area, providing insight into the natural phenomena that shaped the continent's development.

This map is more than just a geographical representation; it's a historical document that tells the story of Europe during a period of significant change and exploration. Its rich details and precise cartography make it a valuable addition to any collection, offering viewers a chance to journey back in time and explore the landscapes, cities, and waterways of 17th-century Europe.

Some of the significant locations shown on this map:

Holy Roman Empire

• Vienna: Known as Wien in German, it was the capital of the Holy Roman Empire and is notable for its cultural and political significance.
• Prague: Known as Praha, it was the capital of the Kingdom of Bohemia and is notable for its architectural beauty and historical importance.
• Regensburg: An important trading center and the location of the Perpetual Diet of Regensburg.
• Nuremberg: Known as Nürnberg, it was a significant cultural, economic, and scientific hub.

Kingdom of Hungary

• Budapest: It was two separate cities, Buda and Pest, until 1873. Known for its strategic location and thermal baths.
• Esztergom: The capital of Hungary until the mid-13th century, known for its cathedral, the Esztergom Basilica.

Ottoman Empire

• Belgrade: Known as Beograd, it was a significant military outpost and the gate to central Europe.
• Bucharest: Known as București, it was a flourishing city, later to become the capital of Romania.

Notable boundaries with neighbouring nations, rivers, national parks, canyons or other natural phenomena:

• The Danube River, Europe's second longest river, a major waterway for trade.
• The Black Forest, a mountainous region in southwest Germany, known for its dense woodlands.
• The Carpathian Mountains, a range of mountains across Central and Eastern Europe.
• The Dinaric Alps, a mountain range in Southern and Southeastern Europe.
• The Bosphorus Strait, a natural strait that connects the Black Sea with the Sea of Marmara.

Notable historical events in this region between 1600 and 1690:

• The Thirty Years' War (1618-1648), a major conflict that devastated Europe, particularly the Holy Roman Empire.
• The Great Turkish War (1683-1699), where the Holy League pushed back the Ottoman Empire's expansion into Europe.
• The Battle of Vienna in 1683, where the Ottoman Empire's siege of Vienna was broken by the Holy Roman Empire and the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.

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: 18x8in (46x22cm), 24x11in (61x29cm), 36x17in (91x44cm), 45x21in (114x54cm), 50x24in (127x60cm), 60x29in (152x73cm) and 70x33in (178x85cm), 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 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.

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 unique map for any reason, contact me for a no-quibble refund.

I am very confident you will like your old map. I have been doing this since 1984. I'm a 5-star Etsy seller. I have sold tens of thousands of maps and have over 4,000 real 5-star reviews.

I use a unique process to restore my maps that is massively time consuming and labour intensive. Hunting down the original maps can take months. I use state of the art and eye-wateringly expensive technology to scan and restore the maps. As a result, I guarantee my maps are a cut above the rest - that's why I can offer a no-quibble refund.

Almost all of my maps 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.