Rare Old Birdseye Map of Goa by Linschoten, 1596: Harbor, Fortifications, Churches, City Center, Lakes

"A Ilha e Cidade de Goa Metropolitana da India E Partes Orientais que esta en 15 Graos da Banda da Norte," created by Jan Huygen van Linschoten in 1596, offers a mesmerizing bird's-eye view of Goa, the epicenter of the Portuguese Empire in the East during the 16th century. This decorative and detailed map not only captures the intricate layout of the city but also the bustling harbor teeming with ships, reflecting Goa's pivotal role in maritime trade. The map's vibrant illustrations and meticulous engravings by Baptista van Deutecum make it a masterpiece of cartographic art, providing a vivid glimpse into the past.

Jan Huygen van Linschoten, a key figure in the Age of Exploration, served as the bookkeeper for the Archbishop of Goa from 1583 to 1589. His privileged position granted him access to secret nautical maps and commercial information, which he meticulously copied. Linschoten's work became instrumental in guiding Dutch voyages to the East, breaking the Portuguese monopoly on the spice trade. His detailed accounts and maps, including this one of Goa, are considered some of the most important travel works of the period.

The map of Goa is rich with notable features, including the city's dense network of streets and significant landmarks. The fortifications along the harbor and city perimeter highlight the strategic importance of Goa in protecting Portuguese interests. Several churches, depicted with architectural precision, underscore the city's role as a religious center. The harbor itself, bustling with various ships, showcases the vibrant maritime activity that made Goa a crucial node in global trade networks.

Surrounding the city, the map illustrates the natural terrain with remarkable detail. Two lakes are prominently featured, adding to the geographical context of the region. The western part of the map shows fields and agricultural areas, indicating the city's self-sustaining capabilities and the richness of the land. This combination of urban and rural elements provides a comprehensive view of Goa's landscape during its peak as a commercial and political hub.

The streets of Goa, meticulously labeled on the map, weave a complex tapestry of the city's layout. Names like Rua de Santa Catarina, Rua dos Mercadores, and Rua do Comércio hint at the bustling commercial activity that characterized the city. These streets, along with others such as Rua do Palácio and Rua do Convento, paint a picture of a vibrant, well-organized urban center. Each street name evokes the historical significance and the daily life of Goa's inhabitants, making this map not just a geographical document but a portal into the past.

Streets and roads on this map

• Rua de Santa Catarina
• Rua Direita
• Rua dos Mercadores
• Rua Nova
• Rua de São Paulo
• Rua de São Tomé
• Rua de Santo Antonio
• Rua de São Francisco
• Rua de São João
• Rua de São Lourenço
• Rua de São Pedro
• Rua de São Sebastião
• Rua de São Vicente
• Rua dos Ferreiros
• Rua do Arsenal
• Rua do Carmo
• Rua do Comércio
• Rua do Convento
• Rua do Hospital
• Rua do Mercado
• Rua do Palácio
• Rua do Tesouro
• Rua dos Ourives
• Rua dos Sapateiros
• Rua das Flores
• Rua dos Pescadores
• Rua do Colégio
• Rua do Monastério
• Rua do Porto
• Rua do Terreiro

Notable Features & Landmarks

• Illustrations:
• Ships: Various ships in the harbor and surrounding waters.
• Coats of arms: Decorative crests and coats of arms.
• Landmarks:
• Fortifications: Visible along the harbor and city perimeter.
• Churches: Several church buildings are illustrated and labeled.
• Harbor: Detailed depiction of the harbor area with docks and ships.
• Neighborhoods:
• City center: Dense network of streets and buildings indicating the main urban area.
• Lakes:
• Two lakes: Depicted in the surrounding landscape.
• Large parks:
• Fields and agricultural areas: Shown in the western part of the map.

Historical and design context

• Name of the map: A Ilha e Cidade de Goa Metropolitana da India E Partes Orientais que esta en 15 Graos da Banda da Norte
• Date created: 1596
• Mapmaker/Publisher: Jan Huygen van Linschoten
• Engraver: Baptista van Deutecum
• Location of publication: Amsterdam
• Context about the mapmaker: Jan Huygen van Linschoten served as the bookkeeper for the Archbishop of Goa from 1583 to 1589. During this time, he had access to sensitive nautical maps and commercial information. He meticulously copied these maps and used them to create his own works.
• Historical significance:
• Goa's importance: At the time, Goa was the commercial and political center for the Portuguese Empire in the East.
• Linschoten's influence: Linschoten's work provided valuable information for future Dutch voyages to the East, making him a key figure in the Age of Exploration.
• Design and style:
• Type: City bird's-eye view pictorial map
• Details: Decorative and detailed, showing the city and harbor of Goa.
• Engravings: Includes intricate illustrations of the city layout, ships, and surrounding landscape.
• Themes and topics:
• City layout: Detailed depiction of the streets, buildings, and notable landmarks of Goa.
• Harbor: Illustration of the harbor with various ships, indicating maritime activity.
• Surrounding landscape: Depiction of the natural terrain around the city, including hills and fields.

Please double check the images to make sure that a specific town or place is shown on this map. You can also get in touch and ask us to check the map for you.

This map looks great at every size, but I always recommend going for a larger size if you have space. That way you can easily make out all of the details.

This map looks amazing at sizes all the way up to 100in (250cm). If you are looking for a larger map, please get in touch.

Please note: the labels on this map are hard to read if you order a map that is 16in (40cm) or smaller. The map is still very attractive, but if you would like to read the map easily, please buy a larger size.

The model in the listing images is holding the 18x24in (45x60cm) version of this map.

The fifth listing image shows an example of my map personalisation service.

If you’re looking for something slightly different, check out my collection of the best old maps to see if something else catches your eye.

Please contact me to check if a certain location, landmark or feature is shown on this map.

This would make a wonderful birthday, Christmas, Father's Day, work leaving, anniversary or housewarming gift for someone from the areas covered by this map.

This map is available as a giclée print on acid free archival matte paper, or you can buy it framed. The frame is a nice, simple black frame that suits most aesthetics. Please get in touch if you'd like a different frame colour or material. My frames are glazed with super-clear museum-grade acrylic (perspex/acrylite), which is significantly less reflective than glass, safer, and will always arrive in perfect condition.

For most orders, delivery time is about 3 working days. Personalised and custom made maps take longer, as I have to do the personalisation and send it to you for approval, which usually takes a day or two.

Please note that for larger framed orders (over 40in/100cm), and some other framed sizes, the delivery time will be closer to 7-10 days.

If you need your order to arrive by a certain date, please contact me before you order so that we can find the best way of making sure you get your order in time.

I print and frame maps in 22 countries around the world. This means your map will be made locally, which cuts down on delivery time and reduces the chance of your map being damaged during delivery. There won't be any extra taxes or duties to pay, and we'll put less CO2 into the air.

All of my maps are well packaged and sent in a rugged tube if unframed, or surrounded by foam if framed.

I try to send out all maps within 1 or 2 days of receiving your order, though some products (like face masks or mugs) can take longer to make.

If you select Express Delivery at checkout your order we will prioritise your order and send it out by 1-day courier (Fedex, DHL, UPS, Parcelforce).

We can sometimes do next-day delivery if you order before 10am. But usually it's best to contact me first before you order.

Read my full delivery and local production guide

My standard frame is a gallery style black ash hardwood frame. It is simple and quite modern looking. My standard frame is around 20mm (0.8in) wide.

I use super-clear acrylic (perspex/acrylite) for the frame glass. It's lighter and safer than glass - and it looks better, as the reflectivity is lower.

Six standard frame colours are available for free (black, dark brown, dark grey, oak, white and antique gold). Custom framing and mounting/matting is available if you're looking for something else.

Most maps are also available as a framed canvas. The map is printed on matte (not shiny) canvas, stretched over a box frame, and then 'floated' within a simple wood frame. The end result is quite beautiful, and there's no glazing in front of your map.

All frames are provided "ready to hang", with either a string or brackets on the back. Very large frames will have heavy duty hanging plates and/or a mounting baton. If you have any questions, please get in touch.

See some examples of my framed maps and framed canvas maps.

Alternatively, I can also supply old maps on canvas, foam board, cotton rag and other materials.

If you want to frame your map yourself, please read my map size guide first.