GERMANY. BIRD’S-EYE VIEW OF LUNEBURG BY BRAUN & HOGENBERG 1596.

LUNEBORCH

A highly attractive copper line engraving on paper, produced to accompany Braun & Hogenberg's "Civitates Orbis Terrarum", and first published in Cologne 1596. 

COMMENTARY BY BRAUN (on verso): "The city of Lüneburg is very famous in Lower Saxony and takes its name either from the statue of Luna that in ancient time stood on the limestone hill or from the little river that flows past it, now called the Ilmenau but formerly known as the Luno, or Lunaw. [...] In this city there is a remarkable saline spring, a wonderful gift from God the Almighty [...]. It is first mentioned in the chronicles of Emperor Otto I, and as the chronicler Helmond of Bosau has written, Henry the Lion promoted salt production in Lüneburg over the saline springs in Oldesloe, which he ordered to be filled in so that the city of Lüneburg would not be disadvantaged." 

This bird's-eye plan shows Lüneburg from the north, i.e. with the main arm of the Ilmenau on the left and thus to the east. Although the fortress perched on the Kalkberg (Kalckberch) to the west had been destroyed as long as 1371, Hogenberg clearly includes it in this view. The limestone Kalckberch - still 80m high in the 16th century - and the salt industry were of prime importance for Lüneburg's economic growth. Salt mining was already in operation at the latest by AD 956, when St Michael's monastery was granted the rights to the duty levied on the city's salt exports. Salt continued to be mined in Lüneburg for over 1,000 years, most intensively from the 11th to the 16th century, when Lüneburg held the salt monopoly in northern Germany. Some 300 labourers worked day and night to extract the "white gold", which was subsequently shipped chiefly from Lübeck. The salt industry was an influencing factor even in the 13th century upon the later granting of the city's charter and in the 15th and early 16th centuries fuelled Lüneburg's greatest economic boom. Production of salt was finally discontinued in 1980 and the saline waters are now exploited only in the thermal baths and spa. (Taschen) 

Measures approx. 350 x 470 mm. Excellent condition. 

Attractive Hand Colour.

A guaranteed genuine antique map.