"Plano scenographico, de la Ciudo. de las Reyes ò Lima Capital de los Reynos del Perú," created by Antonio de Ulloa in 1748, is a captivating bird's-eye-view map that intricately details the vibrant city of Lima, Peru. This map is a testament to the meticulous craftsmanship of Ulloa, who, along with Jorge Juan, embarked on a scientific expedition to South America. The map vividly illustrates the city's layout, showcasing the intricate network of streets, city blocks, and fortifications that defined Lima during the mid-18th century. The ornamental cartouches and indexed place names add a layer of elegance and functionality, making this map not only a navigational tool but also a piece of art.
Lima, known as the "City of Kings," is brought to life through this map, highlighting its significant neighborhoods and landmarks. The detailed depiction of fortifications surrounding the city offers a glimpse into the defensive strategies employed during that era. The map also features the city's bridges, which were crucial for connecting various parts of Lima across the river. The meticulous representation of these elements underscores the city's strategic importance and its role as a hub of colonial administration and commerce in the Spanish Empire.
One of the most striking features of this map is its portrayal of the natural landscape, including the river that flows through Lima. The arrow indicating the direction of the river flow provides a practical understanding of the city's topography and drainage. The inclusion of vegetation and topographical details further enhances the map's accuracy and aesthetic appeal. These elements collectively offer a comprehensive view of Lima's natural and built environment, making the map a valuable resource for historians and enthusiasts alike.
Antonio de Ulloa's expertise as a naval officer and scientist is evident in the precision and detail of this map. His work, alongside Jorge Juan, was part of a larger scientific endeavor to measure the degrees of the terrestrial meridian. This map of Lima is not just a representation of a city but a reflection of the scientific and exploratory spirit of the 18th century. The map's inclusion in the third volume of "Relacion historica del viage hecho de orden de S. Mag. a la America Meridional" underscores its significance in the broader context of geographical and astronomical studies of the time.
The historical significance of this map extends beyond its visual appeal. It offers insights into the urban planning and architectural styles of colonial Lima, providing a window into the past. The indexed place names, such as Calle de los Mercaderes and Calle de la Union, reveal the bustling commercial and social life of the city. The map serves as a historical document that captures the essence of Lima during a pivotal period in its history, making it an invaluable addition to any collection of antique maps.
Streets and roads on this map
- Calle de Abajo
- Calle de Aburrimiento
- Calle de Arriba
- Calle de Barranca
- Calle de Belem
- Calle de Caballeros
- Calle de Cazadores
- Calle de Concepcion
- Calle de Corrales
- Calle de Cotabambas
- Calle de Escribanos
- Calle de Flores
- Calle de la Barranca
- Calle de la Caridad
- Calle de la Carroza
- Calle de la Cruz
- Calle de la Estrella
- Calle de la Luna
- Calle de la Merced
- Calle de la Palma
- Calle de la Pelota
- Calle de la Platería
- Calle de la Pólvora
- Calle de la Puente
- Calle de la Sal
- Calle de la Soledad
- Calle de la Union
- Calle de los Mercaderes
- Calle del Arzobispo
- Calle del Hospital
Notable Features & Landmarks
- Ornamental cartouches at the upper left and right corners.
- Fortifications surrounding the city.
- Bridges crossing the river.
- Detailed city blocks within the fortified area.
- River flowing through the city.
- Indexed place names with a key at the upper left and right.
Historical and design context
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Name of the map: Plano scenographico, de la Ciudo. de las Reyes ò Lima Capital de los Reynos del Perú
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Creation date: 1748
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Mapmaker/Publisher: Antonio de Ulloa, with contributions from Jorge Juan
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Interesting context about the mapmaker: Antonio de Ulloa was a Spanish naval officer, scientist, and explorer. He, along with Jorge Juan, was part of a scientific expedition to South America to measure the arc of the meridian at the equator.
- Topics and themes shown on the map:
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City layout: Depicts city blocks, streets, bridges, and fortifications.
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Natural features: Topography, vegetation, and drainage.
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Relief depiction: Pictorial representation of relief.
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Additional elements: Two bar scales and an arrow indicating the direction of river flow.
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Countries and regions shown on the map: Lima, Peru
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Design/Style of the map: Bird's-eye-view, black and white engraving, ornamental cartouches, indexed place names.
- Historical significance/context:
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Expedition purpose: Part of a comprehensive work detailing a scientific expedition to South America.
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Publication: Appeared in the third volume of "Relacion historica del viage hecho de orden de S. Mag. a la America Meridional," published in Madrid by Antonio Marin in 1748.
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Scientific contributions: The expedition aimed to measure degrees of the terrestrial meridian to understand the Earth's true figure and magnitude.
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 70in (180cm). 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.