Rare Old Map of Brunswick and Lüneburg by Visscher, 1690: Hanover, Wolfsburg, Hildesheim, Göttingen, Harz National Park

Introducing the 'Ducatus Brunsvicensis fereque Lunaeburgensis cum adiacentibus episcopatibus, comitatibus et dominatibus', a magnificent cartographic representation of Brunswick and Lüneburg, crafted by the esteemed Nicolaes Visscher II in 1690. This title, when translated to English, signifies 'The Duchy of Brunswick and nearly Lüneburg with the adjacent bishoprics, counties, and dominions'. This map encapsulates the intricate political divisions and regions of what is now a part of modern-day Germany.

The focal point of this map is the regions of Brunswick and Lüneburg, areas known for their historical significance and cultural richness. Brunswick, once a powerful and influential independent city, is beautifully depicted in its full glory. Lüneburg, a salt-producing town that was a major part of the Hanseatic League, is also meticulously detailed. The map reflects the precise and detailed cartographic style that was characteristic of the Dutch Golden Age.

Notably, the map also highlights key cities such as Hanover, Wolfsburg, Hildesheim, and Göttingen. Hanover, the capital of the Kingdom of Hanover, was an important center of royal power. Wolfsburg, known for its association with the House of Welf, Hildesheim, a historic city dating back to the Middle Ages, and Göttingen, a city known for its university, are all represented with their unique characteristics.

The map also showcases the Harz National Park, a large forested area that is home to the Brocken, the highest peak in Northern Germany. This feature adds a touch of natural beauty to the map, contrasting the urban areas and political boundaries. This map is not just a geographical representation, but also a journey into the past, providing a glimpse into the rich history and culture of these regions during the late 17th century.

Some of the significant locations shown on this map:

Duchy of Brunswick

• Brunswick (Braunschweig): Known for its rich history, Brunswick was an influential independent city and a cultural hub during the Middle Ages. Also known as Braunschweig in German.
• Wolfenbüttel: Once the residence of the dukes of Brunswick for over 400 years, it is known for the Herzog August Library, which was one of the largest libraries in Europe during the 17th century.
• Peine: An old town dating back to 1218, it was known for its iron ore mining.
• Salzgitter: Although now a major industrial city, it was a small settlement in the 17th century known for its rich iron ore deposits.
• Helmstedt: Known for its university founded in 1576, it was a major center of learning in the 17th century.
• Goslar: A historic town known for its well-preserved medieval architecture and silver mines.
• Wernigerode: Known for its picturesque half-timbered houses, it was a significant settlement during the Middle Ages.
• Halberstadt: An important center of wine production and trade in the Middle Ages.
• Quedlinburg: Known for its Romanesque architecture and cobblestone streets, it was an important royal and imperial town in the Middle Ages.
• Blankenburg: Known for its castle, it was the residence of the dukes of Brunswick for some time.
• Seesen: A historic town known for its timber-framed houses.
• Gifhorn: Known for its water castle, it was a significant settlement during the Middle Ages.
• Celle: Known for its ducal palace, it was the residence of the dukes of Brunswick-Lüneburg.
• Uelzen: Known for its medieval architecture, it was an important trading town in the Middle Ages.
• Lüchow: Known for its half-timbered houses, it was a significant settlement during the Middle Ages.

Duchy of Lüneburg

• Lüneburg: Known for its salt production, it was a major part of the Hanseatic League.
• Hanover (Hannover): The capital of the Kingdom of Hanover, it was an important center of royal power.
• Hildesheim: A historic city dating back to the Middle Ages, known for its Romanesque architecture.
• Göttingen: Known for its university founded in 1734, it was a significant center of learning.
• Wolfsburg: Known for its association with the House of Welf, it was a significant settlement during the Middle Ages.
• Stade: Known for its historic harbor, it was an important trading town.
• Cuxhaven: Known for its fishing industry, it was a significant settlement during the Middle Ages.
• Lübeck: Known for its brick Gothic architecture, it was the queen of the Hanseatic League.
• Kiel: Known for its harbor, it was an important naval base during the Middle Ages.
• Flensburg: Known for its historic harbor, it was an important trading town.
• Hamburg: Known for its port, it was a major member of the medieval Hanseatic League.
• Bremen: Known for its market square, it was an important trading city and member of the Hanseatic League.
• Oldenburg: Known for its castle, it was the residence of the counts of Oldenburg.
• Osnabrück: Known for its university founded in 1576, it was a significant center of learning.
• Münster: Known for its historic old town, it was an important trading town in the Middle Ages.

Notable Natural Features

• Harz National Park: A large forested area that is home to the Brocken, the highest peak in Northern Germany.
• River Elbe: One of the major rivers of Central Europe, flowing through several countries before emptying into the North Sea.
• River Weser: Known for its scenic beauty, it is one of the major rivers in northern Germany.
• River Ems: A major river in northwestern Germany, known for its rich biodiversity.
• Lüneburg Heath: A large area of heath, geest, and woodland in the northeastern part of Lower Saxony.

Notable Historical Events (1600-1690)

• Thirty Years' War (1618-1648): A series of wars in Central Europe, one of the most destructive conflicts in European history.
• Peace of Westphalia (1648): A series of peace treaties signed in the Westphalian cities of Osnabrück and Münster, effectively ending the European wars of religion.
• Brunswick-Lüneburg War of Succession (1671): A conflict over the inheritance of the principality of Lüneburg.

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 100in (254cm). 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.