Civitates Orbis Terrarum 1574

Civitates Orbis Terrarum (1574) – The Oldest Collection of Historical City Views

The "Civitates Orbis Terrarum" by Georg Braun (1541–1622) and Franz Hogenberg (1535–1590) is one of the most significant collections of historical city views. The volume published in 1574 contains 139 masterfully colored maps depicting cities from Europe, Asia, Africa, and the New World, including Venice, Lyon, Mexico City, and Cusco.

In addition to the detailed city plans, the engravings also showcase everyday scenes, traditional costumes, coats of arms, and landscapes. The work is particularly valuable as it documents many European cities before their destruction during the Thirty Years' War (1618–1648).

A masterpiece of Renaissance cartography, it offers insights into urban life in the 16th century – historically, artistically, and geographically fascinating.