{"product_id":"old-military-map-of-malta-by-camocio-1565-mdina-birgu-senglea-fort-st-angelo-gozo","title":"Old Map of Malta by Camocio, 1565: Mdina, Birgu, Senglea, Fort St. Angelo, Gozo","description":"\u003cp\u003eDe Melita insula. Melita insula, ab Sicilia disiuneta Africam versus s hierosolimitanor[um] militum sedes is Giovanni Francesco Camocio’s incisive portrait of Malta at the fulcrum of the sixteenth-century Mediterranean. Its Latin title proclaims an island “set apart from Sicily, toward Africa,” the very “seat of the soldiers of Jerusalem”—the Knights of St. John—signaling a strategic lens as much as a geographic one. Issued in 1565 and drawing upon the famed Dillingen prototype, Camocio inflects the model with Venetian intelligence and style: an ornate cartouche, a crisply lettered panel on Malta’s position in the seas, and a network of fortifications poised on the eve of the Great Siege. The result is both report and reverie, a measured survey charged with historical imminence.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCamocio frames the main island of Malta in commanding relief, with Camino (Comino) riding mid-channel and the near shore of Gozo—its capital Rabat (now Victoria)—visible across the strait. High hills and incised valleys articulate the spine of Malta, culminating at dignified Mdina, the island’s former capital, perched above the fertile central plain. The eastern littoral is a choreography of harbors and promontories: Birgu and Senglea straddle the Grand Harbour, while the headland opposite Sliema hints at the future site of Valletta. Northward, Mellieħa anchors the approaches to St. Paul’s Bay, and the winding coves toward Marsala (modern Marsaskala) register the island’s scalloped coast. Around them, lively galleys animate the surrounding seas.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe toponymy offers a compelling palimpsest of languages and regimes. Bobakra resolves to modern Birkirkara; Dinagle anticipates Dingli; and Marsala maps to Marsaskala, each echoing the phonetics of an Italianate hand applied to Semitic and Latin roots. Paths and settlements thread the countryside, revealing the lived geography that fed and fortified the Order’s strongholds. Mdina’s prominence affirms its lingering administrative gravity, while the formidable presence of Fort Saint Angelo, commanding the northeastern reach of the harbor complex, signals the martial heart of the island before Valletta’s foundation. Camocio captures Malta at the pivot: an entrenched network of towns and bastions poised to be reforged by siege and subsequent urban ambition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe maritime vignettes—brisk galleys cutting across the channels—are not mere ornament but narrative. They signal corsair-haunted waters, when Ottoman and Barbary fleets probed Christian littorals and the Knights’ own squadrons scoured the sea-lanes. Camocio’s text box underscores Malta’s hinge-like placement between Sicily and Africa, a forward bastion astride the gateway to the western basin. The Gozo–Camino narrows, the approaches to the Grand Harbour, and the sailing corridors along the southern coast are all implicit in the composition, which reads as a strategist’s brief as much as a traveler’s chart. In these choices, the map becomes a dispatch from the front lines of an early modern maritime contest.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGiovanni Francesco Camocio—Venetian publisher-cartographer of the Lafreri School—excelled at transforming current intelligence into elegant, information-dense images. His celebrated Isole famose and related series distilled the geopolitics of the age with an engraver’s finesse; here, adapting the Dillingen model, he deepens the political and physical portraiture of Malta with meticulous place-names, clear relief, and a masterly cartouche. Noteworthy in sixteenth-century cartography for the balance of topographic truth and strategic emphasis, this work is also vanishingly scarce: examples have not surfaced on the market for more than thirty years. As an artifact, it unites rarity and relevance; as a vision, it fixes Malta at the instant before siege and transformation, with Mdina, Birgu, Senglea, and Fort Saint Angelo standing sentinel over the narrow seas.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCities and towns on this map\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBirkirkara (Bobakra)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDingli (Dinagle)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMdina\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eValletta (as a reference point for historical significance)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBirgu\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSenglea\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMellieħa\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSliema\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMarsala (part of modern-day Marsaskala)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVictoria (Rabat, known as the capital of Gozo)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCamino Island (not a town, but noted for geographic consistency)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNotable Features \u0026amp; Landmarks\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProminent display of Mdina as the former capital of Malta.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDepiction of Fort Saint Angelo in the northeast.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHigh hills and valleys, highlighting the topography.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNoted bodies of water including surrounding seas with galleys depicted.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMultiple historic names including paths and notable locations.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eText box indicating strategic insights concerning Malta's position in the Mediterranean.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIllustrations of ships and galleys, emphasizing maritime activity.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHistorical and design context\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCreated by Giovanni Francesco Camocio in 1565.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRare Italian map based on the Dillingen map of Malta.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFrames the main island of Malta, with visible locations of Camino and parts of Gozo.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMany place names resonate with modern names (e.g., “Bobakra” to Birkirkara; “Dinagle” to Dingli).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRepresents Malta during a period of transition, with implications for the Knights of St. John and their fortifications.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCaptures a moment before the Great Siege of 1565, shaping Malta’s defenses.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNoteworthy in cartography for its detailed depiction of political and physical features.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFeatures an ornate cartouche typical of the time, denoting detailed topography and place names.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProduced in full original color, showcasing aesthetic attention to detail.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eConsidered very rare, with no examples available on the market for over thirty years.\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 50in (125cm). 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 18x24in (45x60cm) 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":57597886693760,"sku":"UM00264798A","price":75.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"12x16in (30x40cm) \/ Framed map","offer_id":57597886726528,"sku":"UM00264799A","price":200.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"12x16in (30x40cm) \/ Framed canvas map","offer_id":57597886759296,"sku":"UM00264800A","price":0.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"A3 (297x420mm) \/ Map","offer_id":57597873095040,"sku":"UM00264801A","price":75.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"A3 (297x420mm) \/ Framed map","offer_id":57597873127808,"sku":"UM00264802A","price":200.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"A3 (297x420mm) \/ Framed canvas map","offer_id":57597873160576,"sku":"UM00264803A","price":0.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"16x20in (40x50cm) \/ Map","offer_id":57597886792064,"sku":"UM00264804A","price":120.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"16x20in (40x50cm) \/ Framed map","offer_id":57597886824832,"sku":"UM00264805A","price":266.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"16x20in (40x50cm) \/ Framed canvas map","offer_id":57597886857600,"sku":"UM00264806A","price":0.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"18x24in (45x60cm) \/ Map","offer_id":57597873193344,"sku":"UM00264807A","price":139.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"18x24in (45x60cm) \/ Framed map","offer_id":57597873226112,"sku":"UM00264808A","price":304.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"18x24in (45x60cm) \/ Framed canvas map","offer_id":57597873258880,"sku":"UM00264809A","price":0.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"A2 (420x594mm) \/ Map","offer_id":57597873291648,"sku":"UM00264810A","price":139.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"A2 (420x594mm) \/ Framed map","offer_id":57597873324416,"sku":"UM00264811A","price":304.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"A2 (420x594mm) \/ Framed canvas map","offer_id":57597873357184,"sku":"UM00264812A","price":0.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"20x28in (50x70cm) \/ Map","offer_id":57597873389952,"sku":"UM00264813A","price":158.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"20x28in (50x70cm) \/ Framed map","offer_id":57597873422720,"sku":"UM00264814A","price":456.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"20x28in (50x70cm) \/ Framed canvas map","offer_id":57597873455488,"sku":"UM00264815A","price":513.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"24x36in (60x90cm) \/ Map","offer_id":57597873488256,"sku":"UM00264816A","price":158.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"24x36in (60x90cm) \/ Framed map","offer_id":57597873521024,"sku":"UM00264817A","price":456.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"24x36in (60x90cm) \/ Framed canvas map","offer_id":57597873553792,"sku":"UM00264818A","price":513.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"A1 (594x841mm) \/ Map","offer_id":57597873586560,"sku":"UM00264819A","price":158.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"A1 (594x841mm) \/ Framed map","offer_id":57597873619328,"sku":"UM00264820A","price":456.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"A1 (594x841mm) \/ Framed canvas map","offer_id":57597873652096,"sku":"UM00264821A","price":513.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"28x40in (70x100cm) \/ Map","offer_id":57597873684864,"sku":"UM00264822A","price":219.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"28x40in (70x100cm) \/ Framed map","offer_id":57597873717632,"sku":"UM00264823A","price":627.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"28x40in (70x100cm) \/ Framed canvas map","offer_id":57597873750400,"sku":"UM00264824A","price":627.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"30x40in (75x100cm) \/ Map","offer_id":57597886890368,"sku":"UM00264825A","price":219.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"30x40in (75x100cm) \/ Framed map","offer_id":57597886923136,"sku":"UM00264826A","price":627.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"30x40in (75x100cm) \/ Framed canvas map","offer_id":57597886955904,"sku":"UM00264827A","price":627.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"A0 (841x1189mm) \/ Map","offer_id":57597873881472,"sku":"UM00264828A","price":314.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"A0 (841x1189mm) \/ Framed map","offer_id":57597873914240,"sku":"UM00264829A","price":1454.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"A0 (841x1189mm) \/ Framed canvas map","offer_id":57597873947008,"sku":"UM00264830A","price":1368.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"37x50in (94x127cm) \/ Map","offer_id":57597886988672,"sku":"UM00264831A","price":437.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"37x50in (94x127cm) \/ Framed map","offer_id":57597887021440,"sku":"UM00264832A","price":1767.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"37x50in (94x127cm) \/ Framed canvas map","offer_id":57597887054208,"sku":"UM00264833A","price":1663.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"45x60in (114x150cm) \/ Map","offer_id":57597887086976,"sku":"UM00264834A","price":580.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"45x60in (114x150cm) \/ Framed map","offer_id":57597887119744,"sku":"UM00264835A","price":2660.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"45x60in (114x150cm) \/ Framed canvas map","offer_id":57597887152512,"sku":"UM00264836A","price":2470.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"52x70in (132x178cm) \/ Map","offer_id":57597887185280,"sku":"UM00264837A","price":979.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"52x70in (132x178cm) \/ Framed map","offer_id":57597887218048,"sku":"UM00264838A","price":3563.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"52x70in (132x178cm) \/ Framed canvas map","offer_id":57597887250816,"sku":"UM00264839A","price":3325.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0257\/0344\/8638\/files\/file_c988ddd3-c73b-4c6b-ae7e-c5cf6331f8a6.jpg?v=1773272186","url":"https:\/\/uniquemaps.ca\/products\/old-military-map-of-malta-by-camocio-1565-mdina-birgu-senglea-fort-st-angelo-gozo","provider":"The Unique Maps Co.","version":"1.0","type":"link"}