Rare Old Map of Germany, the Holy Roman Empire by Ortelius, 1573: Germania, Poland, Rhine, Elbe, Danube, Alps, Baltic Sea

"Germania," a masterful creation by the renowned Flemish cartographer Abraham Ortelius, offers an unparalleled glimpse into the Holy Roman Empire as it stood in 1573. This map, originally published in Ortelius's groundbreaking atlas "Theatrum Orbis Terrarum," was the most influential representation of the region during its time. It meticulously details a vast expanse from the English Channel to the Baltic Sea, and from the Vistula and Poland in the northeast to Budapest and Venice in the southeast, extending as far south as Milan and Geneva. Ortelius's dedication to accuracy and detail is evident in every inch of this cartographic masterpiece.

Ortelius's map is a testament to the scholarly rigor and artistic finesse of the late 16th century. The map's detailed depiction of cities, rivers, and other landmarks showcases Ortelius's commitment to providing an accurate geographical account. Notable features include the Rhine, Elbe, and Danube rivers, which snake through the landscape, connecting a network of cities and towns that were pivotal to the Holy Roman Empire. The map also highlights the mountainous regions in the southeast, including the majestic Alps, adding a layer of topographical depth to the political boundaries.

The artistic elements of "Germania" are as captivating as its geographical precision. The lower-left corner of the map features a coat of arms, likely representing Maximilian II, the Holy Roman Emperor, adding a regal touch to the cartographic work. The illustration of a ship in the English Channel and a sea monster in the Baltic Sea not only enhance the map's visual appeal but also reflect the maritime myths and artistic conventions of the era. These elements, combined with the old color palette, make the map a true work of art.

Ortelius's map draws from a rich tapestry of sources, reflecting the collaborative nature of cartography in the 16th century. His primary reference was a nine-sheet map by Christiaan Sgrooten, known for its unparalleled detail and accuracy. Ortelius also incorporated insights from other esteemed cartographers, including Carolus Heydanus, Gerardus Mercator, Sebastian Munster, and Tilemannus Stella. This amalgamation of knowledge ensured that "Germania" was not only accurate but also comprehensive, making it a valuable resource for scholars and the upper echelons of European society.

The historical significance of "Germania" cannot be overstated. As the most widely circulated map of the Holy Roman Empire among scholars and the elite, it played a crucial role in shaping contemporary understanding of the region's geography and political landscape. This map is more than just a geographical representation; it is a window into the past, offering insights into the political, cultural, and artistic milieu of the late 16th century. Owning this map is akin to holding a piece of history, a testament to the enduring legacy of Abraham Ortelius and his contributions to the world of cartography.

Cities and towns on this map

• Germany
• Berlin
• Hamburg
• Munich
• Cologne
• Frankfurt
• Stuttgart
• Düsseldorf
• Dresden
• Leipzig
• Nuremberg
• Hanover
• Bremen
• Dortmund
• Essen
• Duisburg
• Bochum
• Wuppertal
• Bielefeld
• Bonn
• Münster
• Karlsruhe
• Mannheim
• Augsburg
• Wiesbaden
• Gelsenkirchen
• Mönchengladbach
• Braunschweig
• Chemnitz
• Kiel
• Aachen
• Halle (Saale)
• Magdeburg
• Freiburg
• Krefeld
• Lübeck
• Oberhausen
• Erfurt
• Mainz
• Rostock
• Kassel
• Hagen
• Saarbrücken
• Hamm
• Mülheim
• Potsdam
• Ludwigshafen
• Oldenburg
• Leverkusen
• Osnabrück
• Solingen
• Herne
• Neuss
• Heidelberg
• Darmstadt
• Paderborn
• Regensburg
• Ingolstadt
• Würzburg
• Wolfsburg
• Fürth
• Ulm
• Offenbach
• Heilbronn
• Pforzheim
• Göttingen
• Bottrop
• Trier
• Recklinghausen
• Reutlingen
• Bremerhaven
• Koblenz
• Bergisch Gladbach
• Jena
• Remscheid
• Erlangen
• Moers
• Siegen
• Hildesheim
• Salzgitter
• Poland
• Warsaw
• Kraków
• Łódź
• Wrocław
• Poznań
• Gdańsk
• Szczecin
• Bydgoszcz
• Lublin
• Katowice
• Białystok
• Gdynia
• Częstochowa
• Radom
• Sosnowiec
• Toruń
• Kielce
• Gliwice
• Zabrze
• Bytom
• Olsztyn
• Rzeszów
• Ruda Śląska
• Rybnik
• Tychy
• Dąbrowa Górnicza
• Opole
• Płock
• Elbląg
• Wałbrzych
• Gorzów Wielkopolski
• Włocławek
• Zielona Góra
• Tarnów
• Chorzów
• Koszalin
• Kalisz
• Legnica
• Grudziądz
• Słupsk
• Jaworzno
• Jastrzębie-Zdrój
• Nowy Sącz
• Jelenia Góra
• Siedlce
• Mysłowice
• Piła
• Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski
• Siemianowice Śląskie

Notable Features & Landmarks

• Illustrations:
• Ship in the English Channel.
• Sea monster in the Baltic Sea.
• Coat of arms in the lower-left corner.
• Bodies of Water:
• English Channel
• Baltic Sea
• Various rivers (e.g., Elbe, Rhine, Danube)
• Borders:
• Boundaries of the Holy Roman Empire.
• Mountains:
• Mountain ranges in the southeastern part of the map (e.g., Alps).

Historical and design context

• Mapmaker: Abraham Ortelius, a Flemish cartographer known for creating the first modern atlas of the world.
• Date: 1573
• Original Title: Germania
• Influence: The most influential map of the Holy Roman Empire in its time, widely circulated among scholars and the upper castes of Europe.
• Coverage: Vast region from the English Channel to the Baltic, and from the Vistula and Poland in the northeast to Budapest, Venice in the southeast, and reaching Milan and Geneva in the south.
• Detail: Meticulously details cities, rivers, and other landmarks.
• Artistic Elements: Includes a coat of arms, ship illustration, and sea monster, reflecting the artistic style and maritime myths of the era.
• Sources: Primary reference was a nine-sheet map by Christiaan Sgrooten, with additional insights from Carolus Heydanus, Gerardus Mercator, Sebastian Munster, and Tilemannus Stella.
• Historical Significance: A significant representation of the Holy Roman Empire in the late 16th century, widely used by scholars and the elite.

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 90in (230cm). If you are looking for a larger map, please get in touch.

The model in the listing images is holding the 18x24in (45x60cm) 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.

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.