Old Map of the Peloponnese, Greece
Price range: £35.55 through £59.95
Old Map of the Peloponnese by Frederik de Wit — circa 1688
Fourteen views of fortified towns surround this richly detailed map of the Peloponnese, then known as the Morea. Patras, Navarino and Nafplio appear alongside islands including Zante and Cephalonia, with an elaborate illustrated title panel completing the design.
The warm monochrome artwork combines regional geography with closely observed coastal views and fortress plans. Reproduced as an unframed fine art print, it is a distinctive piece for a connection with southern Greece or an interest in early European cartography.
A stunning certified FINE ART PRINT on heavy textured art paper — not a poster
- Direct from the publisher — no middlemen
- Printed in-house in Cornwall
- Free UK delivery — international shipping available
- Produced to meet — and often exceed — museum-quality standards
Size
Fine Art Map Reproductions – Museum-Quality Printing
Unlike most online offerings, our maps are produced entirely in-house, not outsourced to print-on-demand or drop-shipping services. This allows complete control over quality while offering better value. Each map begins with a high-resolution original, carefully enhanced and printed to order using archival papers and pigment inks for exceptional clarity, depth, and longevity. Every piece is personally overseen — no map leaves our workshop unless it is of a quality we would be proud to display ourselves.
Authentic Old Map Paper & Accurate Colour Reproduction
Paper choice is essential to the authenticity of our maps. We use specially sourced 190gsm paper made in the UK from pure materials and traditionally pressed with natural woollen felts. This process creates a subtle, randomly textured surface that closely resembles an original antique document. Likewise the use of premium quality ink fully saturates the paper, producing remarkable clarity, depth, and historical character. Colour fastness and sharpness will remain good for in excess of 100 years!
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RECENT REVIEWS
Verified ownerGot there in time and loves it! Cheers David [Gift from US to UK]
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The print arrived safely and we're delighted with it - a lovely reminder of our honeymoon 15 years ago.
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Historical Background
Frederik de Wit’s map shows the Peloponnese and neighbouring islands under the historic name of the Morea. The central geography is surrounded by fourteen town and fortress views, so the sheet can be enjoyed both as a regional map and as a collection of smaller pictures. The Library of Congress catalogues this design as approximately 1688.
Map Details
- Original title: Peloponnesus hodie Moreæ Regnum
- Cartographer and publisher: Frederik de Wit
- Publication place: Amsterdam, attributed in the Library of Congress catalogue
- Date: Circa 1688; the catalogue date is approximate
- Area shown: The Peloponnese, with Cephalonia, Zante, Cerigo and St. Maura
- Border illustrations: Fourteen fortified town views and plans
- Appearance: Monochrome engraving with pictorial relief
The Morea and its islands
The map’s branching coastline is immediately recognisable as the southern Greek peninsula. Gulfs divide its projecting arms, while dense place names and small hill symbols fill the interior. The title refers to both ancient and contemporary provinces, reflecting a habit of bringing classical geography into maps of the present. Offshore, Cefalonia is modern Cephalonia, Zante is Zakynthos, Cerigo is Kythira and St. Maura refers to Lefkada. These earlier names are part of the map’s character and help connect its maritime setting with places familiar to travellers today.
Fourteen pictures around the border
The surrounding illustrations alternate between views of settlements and more diagrammatic fortress plans. Patrasso is Patras; Navarino and Coron identify places on the western and southern coasts. Napoli di Romania is Nafplio, whose fortified setting is especially prominent. Malvasia, the old name for Monemvasia, appears as a dramatic settlement on its rocky outcrop. The border also includes Athens, extending the illustrated interest beyond the peninsula shown at the centre. Ships, walls and steep terrain recur throughout these miniature scenes.
A decorative map with a political setting
The late seventeenth century was a period of conflict between Venice and the Ottoman Empire over the Morea. The map’s attention to fortified places belongs to that setting. Its elaborate title panel includes a lion and captive figures, imagery that expresses domination rather than simply ornamenting the geography. De Wit worked in Amsterdam’s flourishing map trade, producing maps that combined detailed engraving with strong visual appeal. In this monochrome example, the coastline, dense lettering and border scenes remain the principal attraction: there is a great deal to study without relying on coloured boundaries.
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