Rare Old Map of Greece, Turkey & Aegean by Visscher, 1690: Athens, Crete, Saronic Islands, Cyclades, Dodecanese

Dive into the mesmerizing world of historical cartography with the 'Exactissima totius Archipelagi nec non Graeciae Tabula : in qua omnes subjacentes Regiones et Insulae distincte ostenduntur', an exquisite map by Nicolaes Visscher II. Translated into English, the name means 'The most exact map of the entire Archipelago and also of Greece: in which all the underlying regions and islands are distinctly shown'. This masterpiece from 1690 provides a comprehensive view of Greece and Turkey, along with the Aegean Sea, during a time when cartography was not just a science but an art form.

The map vividly illustrates the political and administrative boundaries of the era, along with significant waterways and canals. The striking hand-colored outlines bring the geographical features to life, including landmarks, lakes, and mountains. The map's decorative title cartouche, a hallmark of Visscher's style, adds an artistic flourish to this detailed depiction of the region.

Notably, the map showcases significant cities and landmarks such as Athens, the cradle of Western civilization, and Crete, the largest and most populous of the Greek islands. The Saronic Islands, Cyclades, and Dodecanese are also distinctly represented, offering a glimpse into the intricate geography of the Aegean Sea. Each city and island is meticulously detailed, reflecting the cartographer's dedication to accuracy and detail.

Visscher II, hailing from a lineage of renowned Dutch mapmakers, has captured the historical and geographical essence of the region with precision and artistry. This map is not just a navigational tool, but a window into the past, a testament to the rich history and diverse geography of Greece and its surrounding regions. Owning this map is akin to owning a piece of history, making it a must-have for collectors and history enthusiasts alike.

Some of the significant locations shown on this map:

Greece:

1. Athens - Known as the cradle of Western civilization, it was already an ancient city by 1690, with a history spanning over 3,400 years.
2. Corinth - An ancient city and former powerful city-state, famous for its architecture and the Temple of Apollo.
3. Sparta - Known for its military history and its rivalry with Athens.
4. Thebes - An ancient city located near Athens, known for its myths and legends.
5. Delphi - Known as the ancient sanctuary that grew rich as the seat of Pythia, the oracle consulted about important decisions throughout the ancient classical world.
6. Rhodes - An island city known for the Colossus of Rhodes, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
7. Chania - The second largest city of Crete, known for its Venetian Harbor.
8. Heraklion - The largest city and the administrative capital of the island of Crete.
9. Patras - The third-largest city in Greece, a hub for commerce and trade in the region.
10. Thessaloniki - The second-largest city in Greece, known for its festivals, events, and vibrant cultural life.

Turkey:

1. Istanbul - Known as Constantinople until 1930, it was the capital of both the Byzantine Empire and the Ottoman Empire.
2. Izmir - Known historically as Smyrna, it's Turkey's third most populous city and one of the oldest cities of the Mediterranean world.
3. Bursa - The fourth most populous city in Turkey and the first major capital of the Ottoman Empire.
4. Edirne - Known as Adrianople until the 20th century, it was the capital of the Ottoman Empire before Constantinople.
5. Antalya - Known as Adalia in the past, it's the fifth-most populous city in Turkey.
6. Mersin - An important hub of Turkey's economy, and Turkey's largest seaport.
7. Konya - Known as Iconium in Roman times, it's one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world.
8. Gaziantep - One of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, it's famous for its cuisine.
9. Diyarbakir - An important city in southeastern Turkey, known for its walls which are the second largest in the world.
10. Trabzon - Located on the historic silk road, it was an important city for many empires.

Significant Natural Phenomena:

1. Mount Olympus - Known in Greek mythology as the home of the Greek gods.
2. The Bosphorus - The strait that separates Europe and Asia.
3. The Dardanelles - A narrow strait in northwestern Turkey connecting the Aegean Sea to the Sea of Marmara.
4. Mount Ararat - The highest peak in Turkey, traditionally associated with the mountain where Noah's Ark came to rest.
5. The Aegean Sea - An elongated embayment of the Mediterranean Sea located between the Greek and Anatolian peninsulas.

Notable Historical Events (1600-1690):

1. The Battle of Lepanto (1571) - A key naval engagement during the Ottoman–Venetian War, resulting in a decisive Holy League victory.
2. The Cretan War (1645–1669) - A conflict between the Republic of Venice and the Ottoman Empire for control of the island of Crete.
3. The Morean War (1684–1699) - Part of the wider conflict known as the "Great Turkish War", with most of the fighting taking place in the Peloponnese peninsula in southern Greece.

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.

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.