Step back in time with this intricate and fascinating map, 'Circuli Austriaci pars septentrionalis in qua Archiducatus Austriae et Ducatus Stiriae accuratissime divisi ostenduntur', by renowned mapmaker Nicolaes Visscher II. Translated from Latin, the title means 'The Northern part of the Austrian Circle in which the Archduchy of Austria and the Duchy of Styria are shown divided most accurately'. This map, crafted in 1690, provides a detailed snapshot of the political and geographical landscape of the time.
The map prominently features the city of Vienna, then the heart of the Austrian Empire and a major European hub of politics, culture, and economics. Also highlighted is Graz, the capital of Styria, a city known for its beautiful baroque buildings and the ancient Schlossberg fortress. Linz, another Austrian city, is also featured, known for its rich history and the Danube River that courses through it.
Further south, the map showcases Maribor, a charming city nestled in the heart of Slovenia's wine region. Maribor was a significant part of the Duchy of Styria during the time this map was created. The Gesäuse National Park, although not yet established in 1690, is marked on the map. Today, it's known for its breathtaking mountainous landscapes and the roaring Enns River.
Nicolaes Visscher II, the map's creator, was part of a prominent family of Dutch cartographers, artists, and publishers. His works are known for their accuracy and artistic detail, reflecting the high standards of the Dutch Golden Age of cartography. This map is no exception, offering a unique blend of historical and geographical insight into the Northern Austrian Circle during a pivotal period in European history.
Some of the significant locations shown on this map:
Archduchy of Austria:
-
Vienna: Known as Wien, it was the heart of the Austrian Empire and a major European hub of politics, culture, and economics.
-
Linz: Known for its rich history and the Danube River that courses through it.
-
Krems: An important city in Lower Austria, known for its historic architecture and wine production.
-
Wiener Neustadt: Once a fortified city, it played a significant role in Austrian military history.
-
St. Pölten: Known as the oldest city in Austria with a rich history dating back to Roman times.
-
Baden: Famous for its hot springs and was a preferred summer residence of Austrian nobility.
-
Eisenstadt: Known for the Esterházy Palace, a significant cultural landmark.
-
Gmünd: A historic city known for its fortifications and rich cultural heritage.
-
Korneuburg: Known for its medieval architecture and its role in Austrian trade.
-
Tulln: Known as the birthplace of the famous painter Egon Schiele.
Duchy of Styria:
-
Graz: The capital of Styria, known for its beautiful baroque buildings and the ancient Schlossberg fortress.
-
Maribor: Located in modern-day Slovenia, it was a significant part of the Duchy of Styria.
-
Leoben: An important mining city known for its rich deposits of iron ore.
-
Bruck an der Mur: Known for its strategic location at the confluence of the Mur and Mürz rivers.
-
Judenburg: An important trade city in the Middle Ages.
-
Frohnleiten: Known for its beautiful historic city center.
-
Mürzzuschlag: An important hub of the Austrian railway network.
-
Knittelfeld: Known for its horse market in the Middle Ages.
-
Voitsberg: Known for its coal mining industry.
-
Bad Radkersburg: Known for its thermal springs and historic architecture.
Significant Natural Phenomena:
-
Danube River: The second-longest river in Europe, flowing through Vienna and Linz.
-
Mur River: A significant river in Styria, known for its picturesque landscapes.
-
Gesäuse National Park: Although not yet established in 1690, it's known for its breathtaking mountainous landscapes and the roaring Enns River.
-
Schneeberg Mountain: The highest mountain in Lower Austria, known for its panoramic views.
-
Neusiedler See: The largest endorheic lake in Central Europe, located near Eisenstadt.
Notable Historical Events (1600-1690):
-
Battle of Vienna (1683): A significant event in the Great Turkish War where the Habsburgs and their allies halted the advance of the Ottoman Empire into Europe.
-
The Peace of Vasvár (1664): Ended the Austro-Turkish War, with Habsburg Austria making significant territorial concessions to the Ottoman Empire.
-
The start of the reign of Leopold I (1657): Marked the beginning of an era of Habsburg consolidation and expansion in Central Europe.
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.