Dive into the rich tapestry of history with this meticulously detailed map of the County of Namur, created by renowned mapmaker Nicolaes Visscher II in 1690. Known as 'Comitatus Namurci: emendata delineatio' in Latin, this translates to 'Corrected Drawing of the County of Namur'. This map is a testament to the intricate cartography skills of the Dutch Golden Age, offering a fascinating insight into the geopolitical landscape of the time.
The County of Namur, now a part of modern-day Belgium, is beautifully depicted with its various regions and political divisions. The map includes notable cities such as Charleroi, Dinant, Sambreville, Huy, and Gembloux. Each city is marked with precision, providing a captivating glimpse into the urban planning and architectural styles of the late 17th century.
Charleroi, known for its strategic importance, is depicted as a bustling city. Dinant, with its breathtaking natural beauty, is also highlighted. Sambreville, an important center of commerce and industry, is clearly marked. Huy, a city known for its rich cultural heritage, is depicted in detail. Lastly, Gembloux, a city with a long history dating back to the Roman era, is also included.
This map is not just a geographical representation but also a historical document, revealing the intricate political divisions of the County of Namur during the late 17th century. It offers a unique opportunity to delve into the past and explore the historical evolution of this region. The 'Comitatus Namurci: emendata delineatio' is a perfect blend of art and history, a testament to the exceptional cartography skills of Nicolaes Visscher II.
Some of the significant locations shown on this map:
County of Namur
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Charleroi: Founded in 1666, Charleroi was known as Charnoy before it was renamed by the Spanish rulers. It is notable for its historical fortifications and its role in the industrial revolution.
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Dinant: An ancient city with origins in the Celtic period, Dinant is known for its picturesque setting on the Meuse River and its collegiate church.
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Sambreville: Sambreville, known historically as Tamines, is notable for its rich industrial history.
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Huy: Founded in the Roman era, Huy is known for its fortress and its role as a center of Walloon culture.
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Gembloux: Known in Roman times as Gemblonia, Gembloux is notable for its ancient abbey and its agricultural school.
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Namur: The capital of the county, Namur is known for its strategic location at the confluence of the Sambre and Meuse rivers.
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Andenne: Known for its ceramics industry, Andenne has a history dating back to the Merovingian period.
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Fosses-la-Ville: One of the oldest towns in Belgium, Fosses-la-Ville is known for its traditional Saint-Feuillen festival.
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Philippeville: Founded in 1555 by Philip II of Spain, Philippeville is notable for its star-shaped fortifications.
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Walcourt: An ancient town known for its Romanesque basilica and its folklore.
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Florennes: Known for its airbase and its medieval castle.
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Couvin: Known for its caves and its folklore.
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Chimay: Known for its Trappist brewery and its castle.
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Beauraing: Known for its Marian apparitions in the 1930s.
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Rochefort: Known for its Trappist brewery and its caves.
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Marche-en-Famenne: Known for its preserved old town and its folklore.
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Bastogne: Known for its role in the Battle of the Bulge during World War II.
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Arlon: The capital of Belgian Luxembourg, Arlon is known for its Roman ruins.
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Neufchâteau: Known for its folklore and its nature.
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Virton: Known for its Gaume Museum and its folklore.
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Ath: Known for its Ducasse festival, recognized by UNESCO.
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Tournai: One of the oldest towns in Belgium, Tournai is known for its cathedral and its belfry.
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Mons: The capital of Hainaut, Mons is known for its belfry and its Doudou festival.
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Charleroi: Known for its industrial heritage and its modern art museum.
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La Louvière: Known for its boat lifts, recognized by UNESCO.
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Binche: Known for its carnival, recognized by UNESCO.
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Soignies: Known for its blue stone and its collegiate church.
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Thuin: Known for its hanging gardens and its belfry.
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Châtelet: Known for its folklore and its history.
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Seneffe: Known for its castle and its silver museum.
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Nivelles: Known for its collegiate church and its folklore.
Notable Natural Phenomena
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Meuse River: A major European river, notable for its picturesque landscapes.
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Sambre River: Known for its industrial heritage.
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Ardennes Forest: A large forest, popular for outdoor activities.
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Caves of Han: A major tourist attraction, known for its stalactites and stalagmites.
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High Fens: A nature reserve, known for its unique flora and fauna.
Notable Historical Events (1600-1690)
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Battle of Fleurus (1690): A major battle in the Nine Years' War.
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Siege of Namur (1692): A significant event in the Nine Years' War.
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Treaty of Nijmegen (1678): A series of treaties that ended various interconnected wars among France, the Dutch Republic, Spain, Brandenburg, Sweden, Denmark, the Prince-Bishopric of Münster, and the Holy Roman Empire.
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.