Rare Old Map of Berlin-Brandenburg by Joan Blaeu, 1665: Berlin, Potsdam, Cottbus, Frankfurt an der Oder, and Brandenburg an der Havel, with the River Spree, Havel, and the Märkische Schweiz

Dive into the past and explore the rich history of Berlin-Brandenburg through the breathtaking craftsmanship of Joan Blaeu's map from 1665. This is not merely an antique map; it is a piece of history, beautifully illustrating the region's past, its evolution, and the stories that defined it. Each town, city, or settlement within the 80km radius from Berlin holds a unique tale of its own, many founded before the creation of the map, their past lives and accomplishments immortalized through Blaeu's intricate detailing.

This map, titled "March Brandenburgici Pars", is an artful testament to the region's fascinating topography, revealing the heart of Berlin, the river networks, and the vast expanses of land that were once the scene of momentous historical events. These features, both natural and man-made, provide a deep sense of the area's character and spirit. Coupled with the magnificent intricacy and beauty of Joan Blaeu's cartography, the map becomes not only an artifact but a testament to the period's charm, revealing secrets of a bygone era while beckoning the viewer to explore more.

Settlements (ordered by modern population size):

• Berlin (Berolinum): Germany's capital and the country's largest city. It has a rich history and is well-known for its art scene, modern architecture, and iconic landmarks such as the Berlin Wall and Brandenburg Gate.
• Potsdam (Potsdamum): Known for its picturesque cityscape with numerous parks and palaces, Potsdam is also home to the Sanssouci Palace, the former summer palace of Frederick the Great, King of Prussia.
• Cottbus (Chotebuz): A university city, Cottbus is known for its rich history of textile and cloth manufacturing.
• Frankfurt an der Oder (Francofurtum ad Viadrum): Home to Europe University Viadrina, it was an important trading route in the Middle Ages.
• Brandenburg an der Havel (Brandenburgum): Known for its well-preserved medieval cityscape and architecture, it was the birthplace of the Margraviate of Brandenburg.
• Spandau (Spandow): Home to the Renaissance fortress Spandau Citadel, one of the best-preserved Renaissance military structures of Europe.
• Oranienburg (Boehnitz): Known for the Oranienburg Palace, one of the oldest Baroque palaces in Brandenburg.
• Neuruppin (Neu-Ruppin): Birthplace of the renowned Prussian architect, city planner and painter, Karl Friedrich Schinkel.
• Eisenhüttenstadt (Fuerstenberg Oder): Noted for its socialist planned city built in the 1950s.
• Strausberg (Strausberg): Known for Straussee Lake and its historic city walls.
• Schwedt (Schwedt/Oder): Noted for its Baroque Pomeranian tobacco industry.
• Wandlitz (Wandlitz): Known for Wandlitzsee Lake and its scenic beauty.
• Wittenberge (Wittenberge): Noted for its historic textile and leather manufacturing industries.
• Werder (Werder): Known for its annual tree blossom festival.
• Bad Freienwalde (Freienwalde): Known for its oldest recognized spa in Brandenburg.
• Teltow (Teltow): Noted for its namesake, the Teltow Canal.
• Bernau bei Berlin (Bernau): Known for its well-preserved medieval city walls.
• Ludwigsfelde (Ludwigsfelde): Known for its significant automotive and mechanical engineering industry.
• Strausberg (Strausberg): Noted for its beautiful lake and the Strausberg Railway, a major suburban railway line in Berlin.
• Fürstenwalde/Spree (Furstenwalde): Known for its historic St Mary's Church.
• Eberswalde (Everswolde): Known for its significant forestry and engineering industry.
• Oranienburg (Bötzow): Known for its baroque Oranienburg Palace.
• Wittenberge (Vittenberge): Known for its historical water tower and the St Stephen's Church.
• Neuruppin (Nogard): Known as the birthplace of the renowned Prussian architect and painter Karl Friedrich Schinkel.
• Wandlitz (Wandlo): Noted for its beautiful Wandlitz Lake and the surrounding nature reserve.

Notable Landmarks:

• River Spree: Meandering through Berlin, the river is central to the city's layout and is a popular location for boating and sightseeing.
• River Havel: Known for its meandering course through lakes, it provides beautiful scenic views and is popular for watersports.
• Märkische Schweiz Nature Park: A nature reserve located in Brandenburg, known for its hilly landscape and biodiversity.

Historical Events in the 17th Century:

• Thirty Years War (1618-1648): A devastating conflict in the region, which significantly affected the population and landscape.
• The Great Elector (1640-1688): The reign of Elector Frederick William of Brandenburg, who enacted significant economic and military reforms.

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 70in (178cm). 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.

Please note the unframed 24x30in (61x76cm) map has white edges around the map. These edges can help you with framing, or if you don’t need them they are very easy to snip off with scissors. All other maps, including the framed maps, look exactly like the listing images.

If you’re looking for something slightly different, check out my main collection of European city, province and country maps.

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.