Hierosolyma Urbs Sancta, Iudeae, Totiusque Orientis Longe Clarissima, qua amplitudine ac magnificentia hoc nostro aevo conspicua est [Holy City of Jerusalem, by far the most famous city of Judah and the entire Orient…], a hand-colored engraving, from the atlas "Civitates Orbis Terrarum" by Georg Braun and engraver Franz Hogenberg. [Part II; Köln: Philippum Gallaeum, 1593]. Latin.
A bird's eye view of Jerusalem from the east. The map was intended to be a realistic representation of the city (unlike imaginary maps depicting Jerusalem in ancient times), but follows some contradictory conventions, such as depicting the southern front of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre although generally portraying the city from the east. Inset key listing 48 sites in Jerusalem and its surroundings. Top verse from the book of Ezekiel (Latin): "This is Jerusalem, which I have set in the center of the nations, with countries all around her".
Five figures in oriental dress are seen in the foreground of the map. Numerous maps in "Civitates Orbis Terarrum" depict figures in local attire. As stated in the introduction by editor Georg Braun, this was meant to prevent the Turks from obtaining military secrets from the atlas, "the reason is because the bloodthirsty Turks, who are not allowed to look upon representations of the human form, will never allow this book, however great their use for it may be".
Latin text on verso: "Hierosolyma" (printed on one of the sheets only. p. 54).
Engraved map: 32.5X41 cm. Leaf: approx. 41.5X54.5 cm. (two conjoined sheets). Leaf matted with strips of tape on its upper edge. Fair condition. Browned paper. Stains. Small holes and tears (including open tears, affecting the engraving, some of them restored, with color touchups).
Literature: Jerusalem in Braun & Hogenberg Civitates, by Rehav Rubin. The Cartographic Journal, 1996. Pp. 119-129.
See Laor 1040-1040b.