{"product_id":"old-decorative-map-of-greece-and-albania-by-blaeu-1659-thessaloniki-epirus-pindus-mts-mt-olympus-ionian-aegean","title":"Old Map of Greece, Albania and Macedonia by Blaeu, 1659: Thessaloniki, Epirus, Pindus Mts, Mt Olympus, Ionian \u0026 Aegean","description":"\u003cp\u003eMacedonia Epirus et Achaia, issued in 1659 by Willem Janszoon Blaeu, surveys the storied northern and western reaches of Greece together with adjoining Albania in a composition as scholarly as it is sumptuous. The eye is drawn first to a baroque cartouche brimming with allegorical figures and scrolling foliage, then out across a landscape animated by ships coursing the Aegean and Ionian waters and oriented by a bold compass rose. Political boundaries are neatly distinguished in color, while rivers, mountain chains, and coastal indentations are crisply named. Small insets introduce supplemental geographic detail, rewarding close study. This is a grand tableau of the Balkans at mid‑seventeenth century, capturing both the contours of power and the textures of place.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBlaeu—luminary of Amsterdam’s Golden Age of cartography—married meticulous measurement with painterly flourish. Trained in the precision-minded milieu that prized astronomical observation and mathematical projection, he distilled a wide array of sources, from classical authorities to contemporary itineraries and maritime charts, into lucid, balanced compositions. His maps were intended to delight the cultivated eye while guiding merchants, diplomats, and scholars through a politically complex, commercially vibrant world. In Macedonia Epirus et Achaia, that dual ambition shows in the careful calibration of toponyms, the measured sweep of coastlines, and the judicious hierarchy of place-names that privileges major ports and passes without sacrificing local texture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe physical geography is rendered with vigor and clarity. Mountain systems rise in serried hachures—the Pindus forming the spine of Epirus, peaks shading toward the Macedonian hinterland, and storied Olympus looming near the Thessalian borderlands. Rivers carve intelligible corridors: the Axios (Vardar) and Strymon reach the northern Aegean; the Aliakmon meanders toward the Thermaic Gulf; the Aoös (Vjosë) and Arachthos drain Epirus into the Ionian. Lakes and enclosed waters, including the basin at Ioannina and the Ambracian Gulf, punctuate the west. Along the Peloponnesian approach of Achaia, embayments and the narrows near the Gulf of Corinth hint at strategic choke points long contested by traders and empires.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSettlement patterns unfold as a lattice keyed to terrain and sea lanes. Thessaloniki commands the northern seaboard as a mercantile and administrative pivot, while Ioannina nestles amid uplands whose resources and defensibility fostered a distinctive Epirote culture. Achaia’s littoral towns align with fertile plains and river mouths, their fortunes tied to coastal traffic and inland markets. Color-outlined jurisdictions suggest the fluid mosaics of Ottoman provincial governance, even as Venetian influence flickers along the Ionian maritime corridor. Market towns, fortified sites, and monasteries scatter through passes and valleys, revealing the pragmatic logic of movement and security in a rugged landscape.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs a historical document, the map fixes a moment when the Balkans lay at the crossroads of Ottoman administration, Venetian seapower, and enduring classical memory. Its insets invite deeper engagement with contested shores and craggy interiors, while the compass rose and animated shipping scenes evoke a world navigated as much by commerce and curiosity as by conquest. The decorative cartouche—with personifications, trophies, and an elaborate frame—embodies the seventeenth-century conviction that knowledge should be both exact and resplendent. In Blaeu’s hands, geography becomes a theatre of history: borders, rivers, and roads of influence engraved into a portrait of place that remains as instructive as it is beautiful.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCities and towns on this map\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThessaloniki (modern-day population: ~315,000)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAthens (not directly shown, but relevant; modern-day population: ~664,000)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIoannina (modern-day population: ~100,000)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTirana (not shown, but relevant as a nearby modern city; modern-day population: ~800,000)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNotable Features \u0026amp; Landmarks\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDecorative cartouche featuring figures and an elaborate border.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMajor rivers and mountain ranges are clearly labeled.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePolitical boundaries outlined in various colors.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInsets showcasing additional geographic details.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIllustrations of ships present in coastal waters.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCompass rose indicating cardinal directions.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHistorical and design context\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCreator: Willem Janszoon Blaeu\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDate: 1659\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMapmaker Context: Willem Janszoon Blaeu was a renowned Dutch cartographer, known for producing high-quality maps during the 17th century. His work was characterized by meticulous detail and artistic flair.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDesign Style: Intricate detailing, decorative elements, and a baroque cartouche typical of the 17th century; engraving and coloring emphasize rivers and mountains.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHistorical Significance: Reflects 17th-century cartographic knowledge and artistic styles; documents the geopolitical landscape of the time.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003ePlease 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis 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. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis map looks amazing at sizes all the way up to 90in (230cm). If you are looking for a larger map, please \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/contact-us\"\u003eget in touch\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003eThe model in the listing images is holding the 16x20in (40x50cm) version of this map.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe fifth listing image shows an example of my map personalisation service.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIf you’re looking for something slightly different, check out my collection of the \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/all-old-vintage-antique-maps\"\u003ebest old maps\u003c\/a\u003e to see if something else catches your eye.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ePlease \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/contact-us\"\u003econtact me\u003c\/a\u003e to check if a certain location, landmark or feature is shown on this map.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis would make a wonderful birthday, Christmas, Father's Day, work leaving, anniversary or housewarming gift for someone from the areas covered by this map.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis 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.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Unique Maps Co.","offers":[{"title":"12x16in (30x40cm) \/ Map","offer_id":57584752689536,"sku":"UM00264016A","price":75.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"12x16in (30x40cm) \/ Framed map","offer_id":57584752722304,"sku":"UM00264017A","price":201.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"12x16in (30x40cm) \/ Framed canvas map","offer_id":57584752755072,"sku":"UM00264018A","price":0.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"A3 (297x420mm) \/ Map","offer_id":57584752787840,"sku":"UM00264019A","price":75.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"A3 (297x420mm) \/ Framed map","offer_id":57584752820608,"sku":"UM00264020A","price":201.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"A3 (297x420mm) \/ Framed canvas map","offer_id":57584752853376,"sku":"UM00264021A","price":0.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"16x20in (40x50cm) \/ Map","offer_id":57584752886144,"sku":"UM00264022A","price":121.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"16x20in (40x50cm) \/ Framed map","offer_id":57584752918912,"sku":"UM00264023A","price":267.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"16x20in (40x50cm) \/ Framed canvas map","offer_id":57584752951680,"sku":"UM00264024A","price":0.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"18x24in (45x60cm) \/ Map","offer_id":57584752984448,"sku":"UM00264025A","price":140.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"18x24in (45x60cm) \/ Framed map","offer_id":57584753017216,"sku":"UM00264026A","price":305.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"18x24in (45x60cm) \/ Framed canvas map","offer_id":57584753049984,"sku":"UM00264027A","price":0.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"20x28in (50x70cm) \/ Map","offer_id":57584753082752,"sku":"UM00264028A","price":159.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"20x28in (50x70cm) \/ Framed map","offer_id":57584753115520,"sku":"UM00264029A","price":458.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"20x28in (50x70cm) \/ Framed canvas map","offer_id":57584753148288,"sku":"UM00264030A","price":515.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"A2 (420x594mm) \/ Map","offer_id":57584753181056,"sku":"UM00264031A","price":140.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"A2 (420x594mm) \/ Framed map","offer_id":57584753213824,"sku":"UM00264032A","price":305.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"A2 (420x594mm) \/ Framed canvas map","offer_id":57584753246592,"sku":"UM00264033A","price":0.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"24x30in (60x75cm) \/ Map","offer_id":57584753279360,"sku":"UM00264034A","price":168.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"24x30in (60x75cm) \/ Framed map","offer_id":57584753312128,"sku":"UM00264035A","price":458.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"24x30in (60x75cm) \/ Framed canvas map","offer_id":57584753344896,"sku":"UM00264036A","price":515.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"A1 (594x841mm) \/ Map","offer_id":57584753377664,"sku":"UM00264037A","price":168.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"A1 (594x841mm) \/ Framed map","offer_id":57584753410432,"sku":"UM00264038A","price":458.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"A1 (594x841mm) \/ Framed canvas map","offer_id":57584753443200,"sku":"UM00264039A","price":515.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"28x40in (70x100cm) \/ Map","offer_id":57584753475968,"sku":"UM00264040A","price":220.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"28x40in (70x100cm) \/ Framed map","offer_id":57584753508736,"sku":"UM00264041A","price":629.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"28x40in (70x100cm) \/ Framed canvas map","offer_id":57584753541504,"sku":"UM00264042A","price":629.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"32x40in (80x100cm) \/ Map","offer_id":57584753574272,"sku":"UM00264043A","price":220.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"32x40in (80x100cm) \/ Framed map","offer_id":57584753607040,"sku":"UM00264044A","price":629.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"32x40in (80x100cm) \/ Framed canvas map","offer_id":57584753639808,"sku":"UM00264045A","price":629.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"A0 (841x1189mm) \/ Map","offer_id":57584753672576,"sku":"UM00264046A","price":315.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"A0 (841x1189mm) \/ Framed map","offer_id":57584753705344,"sku":"UM00264047A","price":1458.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"A0 (841x1189mm) \/ Framed canvas map","offer_id":57584753738112,"sku":"UM00264048A","price":1373.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"40x50in (100x127cm) \/ Map","offer_id":57584753770880,"sku":"UM00264049A","price":477.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"40x50in (100x127cm) \/ Framed map","offer_id":57584753803648,"sku":"UM00264050A","price":1773.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"40x50in (100x127cm) \/ Framed canvas map","offer_id":57584753836416,"sku":"UM00264051A","price":1668.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"48x60in (120x150cm) \/ Map","offer_id":57584753869184,"sku":"UM00264052A","price":582.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"48x60in (120x150cm) \/ Framed map","offer_id":57584753901952,"sku":"UM00264053A","price":2669.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"48x60in (120x150cm) \/ Framed canvas map","offer_id":57584753934720,"sku":"UM00264054A","price":2478.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"56x70in (142x178cm) \/ Map","offer_id":57584753967488,"sku":"UM00264055A","price":1077.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"56x70in (142x178cm) \/ Framed map","offer_id":57584754000256,"sku":"UM00264056A","price":3765.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"56x70in (142x178cm) \/ Framed canvas map","offer_id":57584754033024,"sku":"UM00264057A","price":3574.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0257\/0344\/8638\/files\/file_4b6ca155-5130-4039-902f-ddd9fb072347.jpg?v=1773226179","url":"https:\/\/uniquemaps.ca\/products\/old-decorative-map-of-greece-and-albania-by-blaeu-1659-thessaloniki-epirus-pindus-mts-mt-olympus-ionian-aegean","provider":"The Unique Maps Co.","version":"1.0","type":"link"}