Rare Old Map of Saint Petersburg by Wiebeking, 1840: Nevsky Prospect, Vasilievsky, Fontanka River, Embankment, 1824 Flooding

"Plan de St. Petersbourg et de ses Environs relatit au Mémoire concernant les moyens de mettre cette ville à l'abri des inondations," crafted by the esteemed Carl Friedrich von Wiebeking in 1840, offers a rare glimpse into the intricate urban planning of Saint Petersburg. This map is not merely a depiction of streets and buildings but a testament to the city's ongoing battle against devastating floods. Highlighting the city's layout and the innovative flood protection proposals, this map serves as a historical document of both architectural ingenuity and environmental resilience.

Saint Petersburg, with its grand avenues and historic districts, is meticulously detailed in this map. Notable neighborhoods such as Vasilievsky Island and the bustling Nevsky Prospect are prominently featured, showcasing the city's vibrant urban life. The map's color-coded sections provide a clear distinction between different districts, reflecting the city's diverse and dynamic character. Each area is carefully delineated, offering a comprehensive view of the city's layout during a pivotal period in its history.

The waterways of Saint Petersburg, including the Fontanka River and the intricate network of canals, are beautifully illustrated, emphasizing the city's unique relationship with water. These rivers and canals are not just geographical features but integral parts of the city's identity and daily life. The map also highlights the significant efforts to manage and mitigate the impact of flooding, a challenge that has shaped the city's development since its founding.

Landmarks such as the Admiralty Embankment and Sennaya Square are clearly marked, providing a sense of the city's architectural grandeur and historical significance. These landmarks are more than just points of interest; they are symbols of the city's rich cultural heritage and its resilience in the face of natural disasters. The detailed depiction of these sites on the map underscores their importance in the urban landscape of Saint Petersburg.

The map's design and style reflect the technical precision and artistic skill of Carl Friedrich von Wiebeking, a renowned engineer and cartographer. His work on this map is a testament to his expertise in urban planning and his commitment to addressing the critical issue of flooding in Saint Petersburg. This map is not only a valuable historical document but also a work of art that captures the essence of a city striving to protect itself from the forces of nature.

Streets and roads on this map

• Admiralty Embankment
• Bolshaya Morskaya Street
• Fontanka River Embankment
• Gorokhovaya Street
• Kazan Street
• Kronverkskaya Embankment
• Liteyny Avenue
• Maly Avenue
• Mokhovaya Street
• Moskovsky Avenue
• Nevsky Prospect
• Sadovaya Street
• Sennaya Square
• Vasilievsky Island
• Zagorodny Avenue

Notable Features & Landmarks

• Inset maps:
• Inset showing the Gulf of Finland (Golfe de Finlande ou de Cronstadt).
• Illustrations:
• Detailed depiction of waterways and proposed flood management infrastructure.
• Landmarks:
• Major buildings and fortifications (not specifically labeled in the provided image).
• Neighbourhoods:
• Various districts within Saint Petersburg are color-coded.
• Lakes:
• Water bodies within and around the city, though specific names are not visible in the provided image.
• Large parks:
• Green spaces within the city, though specific names are not visible in the provided image.
• Other notable features:
• Detailed waterway network, including rivers and canals.

Historical and design context

• Name of the map: Plan de St. Petersbourg et de ses Environs relatit au Mémoire concernant les moyens de mettre cette ville à l'abri des inondations.
• Creation date: 1840
• Mapmaker/Publisher: Carl Friedrich von Wiebeking
• Interesting context about the mapmaker: Carl Friedrich von Wiebeking was a notable engineer and cartographer known for his contributions to civil engineering and urban planning.
• Historical significance/context:
• Flooding issues: The map was created as part of a series of proposals to address the chronic flooding problems in Saint Petersburg, a significant issue since the city's founding.
• 1824 Flooding: The catastrophic flood of 1824, which saw water levels rise over 4 meters, destroying 462 houses and killing hundreds, is a pivotal event in the city's history and is referenced in Alexander Pushkin's poem “The Bronze Horseman.”
• Early flooding protection proposals: The first full city plan for flood protection was proposed in 1727 by Burkhard Christoph von Münnich.
• Topics and themes shown on the map:
• Urban planning: The layout of Saint Petersburg, including its streets, waterways, and surrounding areas.
• Flood management: Proposals for flood mitigation and protection.
• Countries and regions shown on the map: Saint Petersburg, Russia, and its surrounding regions.
• Design/style context:
• Cartographic style: Detailed and technical, typical of 19th-century engineering maps.
• Color coding: Different areas of the city are color-coded, likely representing various districts or zones relevant to the flood management proposals.

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 100in (250cm). If you are looking for a larger map, please get in touch.

Please note: the labels on this map are hard to read if you order a map that is 16in (40cm) or smaller. The map is still very attractive, but if you would like to read the map easily, please buy a larger size.

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.