Rare Old Map of Duchy of Milan, Italy by Visscher, 1690: Como, Bergamo, Pavia, Piacenza, Parco Agricolo Sud Milano
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FREE delivery in 2 to 3 days
Free delivery in 2 to 3 days
Your map should be delivered in 2 to 3 working days with free delivery, worldwide.
We make maps by hand locally in 23 countries, including Canada
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. If you're buying a gift for someone in another country, we will make the map locally to them.You will never pay import tax or customs duty.
Free delivery will gradually get slower towards Christmas, as postal services start to struggle with larger volumes of post. I recommend ordering sooner rather than later to make sure you get everything with time to spare.
Express delivery is available at checkout which can reduce the delivery time to 1-2 days.
Please note that personalised maps, and larger framed maps, can take longer to produce and deliver.
If you need your order to arrive by a certain date, contact me and we can discuss your options.
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Certified sustainable +
we plant trees🌳
Sustainability & Tree Planting
Here at The Unique Maps Co., we have an unusually high affinity for paper. After all, without paper, there can be no maps!
That's why all of our paper, frames and packaging are from FSC certified sources.
But we don't stop there. We've partnered with Treeapp to plant trees around the world.
If you spend $80 or more, we'll plant a tree in your name.
- Framing & personalisation available
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30 day money back guarantee
30 days to return and refund
Products can be returned within 30 days for a full refund, or exchange for another product.
During the Christmas period, we have an extended returns period of 60 days.
For personalised and customised items, we may offer you a non-expiring gift card, as we cannot resell your personalised order.
If you have any questions, get in touch. For more information, see our full returns & exchanges policy.
My maps are rare, museum-grade, restored old maps sourced from libraries, auction houses and private collections across the globe.
- The model holds the 16x20in (40x50cm) map
Custom size and finish
If you are looking for a size or finish that is not available here, please request it in the "order note" when you check out.
Every order is custom made, so if you need the size adjusted slightly, or printed on an unusual material, just let us know. We've done thousands of custom orders over the years, so there's (almost) nothing we can't manage.
You can also contact us before you order, if you prefer!
Step into the past with the meticulously detailed 'Ducato overo Territorio Di Milano' or 'Duchy or Territory of Milan', a map crafted by the skilled hands of Nicolaes Visscher II in 1690. The map offers a fascinating glimpse into the Duchy of Milan, a significant region in what is now modern Italy. Visscher, belonging to a lineage of celebrated Dutch cartographers, presents a vivid portrayal of the region's political divisions and geographical features, transporting viewers back to the late 17th century.
This extraordinary piece of history captures the essence of several key cities, including Como, Bergamo, Pavia, Piacenza, and the green expanse of Parco Agricolo Sud Milano. Each city is depicted with remarkable precision, revealing the unique characteristics that made them integral parts of the Duchy. The map's hand-colored outlines further enhance the intricate details, providing a vibrant snapshot of the era.
Beyond the urban landscapes, the map beautifully illustrates the natural environment of the Duchy. Forests, waterways, canals, and mountains are all depicted with a keen eye for detail. The relief shown pictorially adds depth and dimension, creating a sense of the topographical diversity that characterizes the region. Notable landmarks punctuate the landscape, offering points of interest that hint at the rich history and culture of the Duchy.
The map also features decorative cartouches, a hallmark of Visscher's work, adding an artistic flair to the historical and geographical information. These embellishments, coupled with the map's meticulous detail and historical significance, make the 'Ducato overo Territorio Di Milano' a must-have for any collector or enthusiast of cartography. This map is not just a representation of a geographical area, but a testament to the craftsmanship and scientific knowledge of the Dutch Golden Age, making it a truly luxurious addition to any collection.
Some of the significant locations shown on this map:
Duchy of Milan
- Milan (Milano): Known as Mediolanum in ancient times, it was the capital of the Duchy of Milan. A significant center of trade and commerce in the 17th century.
- Como: Known for its Gothic Como Cathedral, ancient city walls, and scenic location at the southern tip of Lake Como.
- Bergamo: Divided into two centers, the Alta (upper) city and the Bassa (lower) city, with rich history dating back to the Venetian period.
- Pavia: Known as Ticinum in Roman times, it was the capital of the Kingdom of Lombards.
- Piacenza: Known as Placentia in Roman times, it was a key military site in the 17th century.
- Lodi: Founded in 1158, it was a significant cultural and trading center.
- Cremona: Known for its musical history, including the manufacture of Stradivarius violins.
- Mantua (Mantova): Known as Mantua in English, it was one of the main artistic, cultural, and musical hubs of Northern Italy during the Renaissance.
- Brescia: Known as Brixia in Roman times, it was a key administrative center of the Duchy.
- Parma: Known for its architecture, music, art, and food - particularly Parmesan cheese and Parma ham.
- Modena: Known as Mutina in Roman times, it was a center of art and culture.
- Reggio Emilia: Known for its rich and varied cuisine, and historic sites.
- Novara: Known for the Battle of Novara in 1513, between the Swiss Confederation and the Duchy of Milan.
- Alessandria: Founded in 1168, it was a significant military and commercial hub.
- Asti: Known for its wines, particularly Asti Spumante, and its Palio horse race.
- Vercelli: Known as Vercellae in Roman times, it was a key center of rice production.
- Casale Monferrato: Known for its art, architecture, and gastronomy.
- Vigevano: Known for its beautiful Renaissance "Piazza Ducale" in the center of the town.
- Sondrio: Known for its vineyards and wine production.
- Lecco: Known for its beautiful location on the eastern branch of Lake Como.
- Monza: Known for its Romanesque-Gothic style Duomo and the Autodromo Nazionale Monza, a historic race track.
- Busto Arsizio: Known for its textile industries.
- Sesto San Giovanni: Known for its industrial heritage.
- Legnano: Known for the Battle of Legnano in 1176, where the Lombard League defeated Emperor Frederick I.
- Rho: Known for hosting the Expo 2015.
- Cinisello Balsamo: Known for its rich history dating back to the Roman period.
- Gallarate: Known for its textile and manufacturing industries.
- Paderno Dugnano: Known for its industrial heritage.
- Cologno Monzese: Known for being a significant center of television production.
- Lissone: Known for its furniture industry.
Notable Natural Phenomena
- Lake Como: Known for its deep-blue waters and surrounding mountains, it's a top tourist destination.
- Lake Maggiore: Known for its picturesque islands and surrounding landscapes.
- Lake Garda: The largest lake in Italy, known for its clear waters and surrounding medieval structures.
- River Po: The longest river in Italy, significant for commerce and agriculture.
- Parco Agricolo Sud Milano: A large agricultural park south of Milan, offering a green oasis near the city.
Notable Historical Events (1600-1690)
- The War of the Mantuan Succession (1628-1631): A part of the broader Thirty Years' War, it had significant impacts on the Duchy of Milan.
- The Plague of 1630: This devastating plague killed a large portion of the population in Milan and Lombardy.
- The Treaty of Westphalia (1648): Ended the Thirty Years' War and had significant geopolitical implications for the Duchy of Milan.
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.
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.
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.
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