GERMANY – BIRD’S-EYE VIEW OF WEIMAR BY BRAUN & HOGENBERG 1581.

A highly attractive copper line engraving on paper, produced to accompany Braun & Hogenberg's "Civitates Orbis Terrarum", and first published in Cologne 1581.

TRANSLATION OF CARTOUCHE TEXT: Winmaria, pre-eminent city in fertile Thuringia, in German Weimar.

COMMENTARY BY BRAUN: "In the years 1299 and 1404 Weimar was severely harmed by terrible fires. It is true that this misfortune caused great damage, but afterwards the city was not only reconstructed but embellished with such splendid buildings that now they add to its fame and beauty. The imposing palace of the Dukes of Saxony numbers among them [...], above all with its very pleasant and well-designed gardens with delicious herbs and fruit-bearing trees." 

This bird's-eye view from the west shows the green city of Weimar in its landscape setting, nestled amongst fertile, rolling fields and meadows beside the Ilm. Beside the river towards the top of the picture stands the original ducal residence. Hornstein castle, to the right of which is the palace built by Duke John William with its formal gardens. Clearly visible within the city is the late Gothic church of SS Peter and Paul, today known as the Herderkirche after the theologian and philosopher Johann Gottfried Herder, who worked here as court preacher from 1776 to 1801. In the 14th century (1342-1346) struggles for control over Thuringia resulted in Weimar becoming a fief of the Wettin dynasty. Weimar was granted its charter in 1410; in 1424 the city had to be rebuilt after a devasting fire. In 1552 Duke John Frederich the Magnanimous made it the capital of the Duchy of Saxe-Weimar. (Taschen)

Measures approx. 350 x 470 mm. Good condition, see photo.

Attractive old hand colour.

A guaranteed genuine antique map.