Old Port of Bonifacio, Corsica Nautical Chart by Heather, 1802: Town, Soundings, Fortress, Ranella Cove

Introduction to the Port of Bonifacio Map

This exquisite nautical chart, titled "The Port of Bonifacio," is a masterful creation by the renowned British hydrographer William Heather from the year 1802. As a part of Heather's esteemed "New Mediterranean Pilot," this chart is not merely a navigational aid but a piece of maritime history. The map meticulously details the strategic port located on the southern coast of Corsica, France, a vital location during a period when the Mediterranean Sea was a bustling hub of trade and travel. Heather's work is celebrated for its precision and detail, characteristics that shine brightly in this chart.

Navigational Details and Cartographic Style

William Heather's chart is an exemplar of traditional nautical chart style, employing various symbols and abbreviations to denote soundings, anchorages, and navigational hazards. Oriented with northeast at the top, the chart offers a detailed view of the coastline, port entrance, and critical maritime features. This style was essential for sailors before the advent of GPS technology, providing them with crucial information to navigate safely. The inclusion of soundings—a technique measuring the depth of water—highlights the practical utility of the chart, ensuring that mariners could gauge the safety of approaching the shore.

Historical and Geographical Context

The Port of Bonifacio holds a position of considerable historical significance, acting as a gateway between the western and eastern regions of the Mediterranean. This chart captures the essence of Bonifacio during a time when navigation and maritime trade were the lifelines of European economies. The detailed representation of landmarks such as Ranella Cove, the Fortress, and various ecclesiastical buildings like churches and convents, not only aids in navigation but also serves as a historical snapshot of the area's architectural and cultural landscape at the beginning of the 19th century.

Cartographic Rarity and Value

As part of Heather's "New Mediterranean Pilot," this chart of the Port of Bonifacio is exceedingly rare, with few examples known to have survived into the modern era. This rarity adds immense value not only for collectors of maritime maps but also for historians and enthusiasts of nautical exploration. The chart's detailed depiction of minor and major geographical features makes it a significant document for studying the historical geography of Corsica and the Mediterranean region.

Broader Significance and Appeal

Beyond its utility for historical and geographical research, this chart is a testament to the art of cartography and the meticulous skill required in the craft of mapmaking in the pre-digital era. It serves as a reminder of the challenges navigators faced and the tools they relied upon. For enthusiasts of maritime history, collectors of rare maps, or those fascinated by the artistry of cartography, this chart of the Port of Bonifacio is not just a map but a portal to a bygone era, offering insights into the maritime heritage that shaped much of our world today.

Notable places on this map

• The Port of Bonifacio
• Ranella Cove
• Fortress
• Convent
• Rock
• Church
• Spring
• Campo Romanello
• La Madonetta
• Chapel Pt

Notable Features & Landmarks

• Detailed representation of the town of Bonifacio and surrounding coastline
• Entrance to the port clearly depicted
• Soundings, anchorages, and navigational hazards are meticulously charted
• Traditional nautical chart style with symbols and abbreviations

Historical and design context

• Created by William Heather in 1802
• Part of Heather's "New Mediterranean Pilot"
• Reflects the strategic importance of the Mediterranean Sea as a major trade route during the early 19th century
• Traditional nautical chart style, providing crucial navigational details
• Rare and valuable historical document, with few known surviving examples

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 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.

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.