Rare Old Map of Lower Tuscany, Italy by Visscher, 1690: Viterbo, Rome, Orvieto, Civitavecchia, Parco Bracciano Martignano

Immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of history with our exquisite map, 'Toscana inferiore, detta anticamente Tuscia suburbicaria', which translates to 'Lower Tuscany, formerly known as Suburbicarian Tuscany'. This piece, meticulously crafted by Nicolaes Visscher II in 1690, showcases the regions and political divisions of Lower Tuscany, an area that is now part of modern-day Italy. Visscher II was a renowned cartographer from the Dutch Golden Age, and his expertise is evident in the precision and detail of this map.

The map features several significant cities and landmarks, including Viterbo, Rome, Orvieto, Civitavecchia, and Parco Naturale Regionale di Bracciano Martignano. Each city is represented with remarkable accuracy, reflecting the meticulous attention to detail that was a hallmark of Visscher's work. These cities, rich in history and culture, are beautifully captured in this piece, offering a glimpse into the past that is both fascinating and educational.

In addition to the cities, the map also depicts various natural and man-made features. It beautifully illustrates the region's forests, waterways, canals, mountains, and landmarks. The map's hand-colored outlines add a touch of elegance, enhancing the visual appeal of the piece. The decorative cartouches and coat of arms add a layer of historical significance, providing insight into the region's past. The relief is shown pictorially, adding depth and dimension to the map and enhancing its aesthetic appeal.

This map is not just a representation of geographical locations; it is a testament to the region's rich history and cultural heritage. It offers a unique perspective on the political and social landscape of the time, making it a valuable addition to any collection. The dedication to "Nobilissimo, Amplissimo, Consultissimo Domino, D. Johanni Honigh..." further adds to its historical significance. This map, with its intricate details and historical context, is more than just a decorative piece; it is a conversation starter, a source of inspiration, and a treasure trove of information.

Some of the significant locations shown on this map:

Lower Tuscany

• Rome: Known as Roma in Italian, it is the capital city and a special comune of Italy. Known as the 'Eternal City', it was already an important metropolis in 1690, having been founded in 753 BC.
• Viterbo: A significant historical city in Lazio, known for its well-preserved medieval town center. It was an important papal town in the 13th century.
• Civitavecchia: Known as "Centumcellae" in ancient times, it is a sea port on the Tyrrhenian Sea, it has been a vital harbor since the Roman times.
• Orvieto: Known for its stunning cathedral and labyrinth of tunnels and caves underneath the city, it was a center of Etruscan civilization.
• Bracciano: Known for its volcanic lake (Lago di Bracciano) and the iconic Odescalchi Castle. It was an important hub in the Etruscan era.

Notable Historical Events (1600-1690)

• The Battle of Lepanto (1571): A crucial naval confrontation between allied Christian forces and the Ottoman Empire, marking the end of Ottoman naval dominance in the Mediterranean.
• The Galileo Affair (1610): Galileo Galilei, an Italian astronomer from Pisa, faced the Roman Inquisition for his defense of heliocentrism.
• The Great Plague of Florence (1630-1633): A devastating outbreak of Bubonic Plague that killed approximately 50,000 people in the city of Florence.

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.

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.