Rare Old Map of Rhine Palatinate & Zweibrücken Duchy, Visscher, 1690: Frankfurt, Mannheim, Saarbrücken, Mainz, Darmstadt

Immerse yourself in the rich history of the late 17th century with this detailed map, 'Exactissima Palatinatus Rheni ac Ducatus Bipontini tabula, qua tam omnes eorundem Balliviatus subjacentes', by renowned cartographer Nicolaes Visscher II. Translated from Latin, the title of this map means 'The Most Exact Map of the Palatinate of the Rhine and the Duchy of Zweibrücken, showing all their subordinate bailiwicks'. This map provides a unique snapshot of the political and geographical landscape of the time, particularly focusing on the regions now known as parts of modern Germany.

The map prominently features five significant cities of the era: Frankfurt, Mannheim, Saarbrücken, Mainz, and Darmstadt. Each city is intricately depicted, offering an insight into their historical importance. Frankfurt, a key international trade city, is beautifully illustrated, as is Mannheim, a stronghold of the Palatinate. Saarbrücken, Mainz, and Darmstadt are also carefully represented, highlighting their roles in the complex political landscape of the time.

In addition to the cities, the map offers a wealth of detail on the surrounding regions and political divisions. The Palatinate of the Rhine, a key electoral state of the Holy Roman Empire, and the Duchy of Zweibrücken, are intricately outlined. The map also illustrates the various subordinate bailiwicks of these regions, providing a fascinating insight into the political divisions and power structures of the era.

Crafted by Nicolaes Visscher II in 1690, this map is a testament to the cartographic excellence of the Dutch Golden Age. Visscher was the grandson of Claes Janszoon Visscher, one of the most respected mapmakers of his time. His attention to detail, accuracy, and the artistic style of his work are all evident in this map, making it a truly remarkable piece of historical cartography. Explore the past with this captivating representation of a pivotal era in European history.

Some of the significant locations shown on this map:

Palatinate of the Rhine

1. Frankfurt - Known as Frankfurt am Main in the modern day, it was a free imperial city of the Holy Roman Empire. It was known for its trade fairs and its position as a center of commerce.
2. Mainz - Known historically as Mogontiacum, it was the capital of the Electorate of Mainz. It was an important city for the Roman Empire and a key location for the Christian Church.
3. Mannheim - Founded in 1606, it was known as the 'City of Squares' due to its grid-like layout. It was a significant center for the arts and sciences in the Baroque period.
4. Heidelberg - Known for Heidelberg Castle and the University of Heidelberg, one of the oldest universities in Germany founded in 1386.
5. Worms - An ancient city with a history dating back over a thousand years. It was the site of the Diet of Worms, where Martin Luther was declared a heretic.
6. Speyer - Known for the Speyer Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage site. It was an important city in the Holy Roman Empire.
7. Ludwigshafen - Known historically as 'Ludwigshafen am Rhein', it was a center of the chemical industry.
8. Kaiserslautern - Known for its rich history and the Palatinate Forest.
9. Pirmasens - Founded in the 9th century, it was known for its shoe manufacturing industry.
10. Bad Dürkheim - Known for the Dürkheim Barrel, the world's largest wine barrel.
11. Landau - Known as 'Landau in der Pfalz', it was a free imperial city in the Holy Roman Empire.
12. Neustadt - Known as 'Neustadt an der Weinstraße', it was a center of the wine trade.
13. Zweibrücken - Known for its rose garden, the largest in Europe.
14. Idar-Oberstein - Known for its gemstone industry.
15. Bad Kreuznach - Known for its salt springs, a major source of salt in the region.

Duchy of Zweibrücken

1. Zweibrücken - The capital of the Duchy, known for its rose garden, the largest in Europe.
2. Homburg - Known for its Karlsberg Brewery.
3. St. Wendel - Known for its basilica, a significant pilgrimage site.
4. Blieskastel - Known for its baroque architecture.
5. Neunkirchen - Known for its iron and steel industry.
6. Saarbrücken - The largest city in the Saarland region, known for its coal mining industry.
7. Völklingen - Known for the Völklingen Ironworks, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
8. Sankt Ingbert - Known for its forest and the Rohrbach stone church.
9. Pirmasens - Known for its shoe manufacturing industry.
10. Merzig - Known for its Wolf Park Werner Freund.
11. Saarlouis - Known for its fortifications built by Louis XIV.
12. Dillingen - Known for its steel industry.
13. Lebach - Known for its coal mining industry.
14. Saarwellingen - Known for its historic town center.
15. Wadern - Known for its historic castle, Dagstuhl Castle.

Notable Natural Phenomena

1. Rhine River - A major European river that flows through several countries, offering scenic views and vineyards along its banks.
2. Palatinate Forest - The largest contiguous forest in Germany, known for its hiking trails.
3. Odenwald - A low mountain range known for its diverse flora and fauna.
4. Hunsrück - A low mountain range known for its scenic beauty and historic sites.
5. Moselle River - Known for its vineyards and the Moselle wine region.

Notable Historical Events (1600-1690)

1. The Thirty Years' War (1618-1648) - A devastating conflict in the region that led to significant changes in the political landscape.
2. The Peace of Westphalia (1648) - The series of treaties that ended the Thirty Years' War, leading to a reshaping of political boundaries.
3. The Franco-Dutch War (1672-1678) - A conflict that involved several European powers, including the Palatinate of the Rhine and the Duchy of Zweibrücken.

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 all sizes: 12x16in (30.5x41cm), 16x20in (40.5x51cm), 18x24in (45.5x61cm), 24x30in (61x76cm), 32x40in (81.5x102cm), 40x50in (102x127cm), 48x60in (122x153cm) and 56x70in (142x178cm), but it looks even better when printed large.

I can create beautiful, large prints of this map up to 90in (229cm). Please get in touch if you're looking for larger, customised or different framing options.

The model in the listing images is holding the 16x20in (40.5x51cm) 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 of Europe and European cities 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.

My maps are extremely high quality reproductions of original maps.

I source original, rare maps from libraries, auction houses and private collections around the world, restore them at my London workshop, and then use specialist giclée inks and printers to create beautiful maps that look even better than the original.

My maps are printed on acid-free archival matte (not glossy) paper that feels very high quality and almost like card. In technical terms the paper weight/thickness is 10mil/200gsm. It's perfect for framing.

I print with Epson ultrachrome giclée UV fade resistant pigment inks - some of the best inks you can find.

I can also make maps on canvas, cotton rag and other exotic materials.

Learn more about The Unique Maps Co.

Map personalisation

If you're looking for the perfect anniversary or housewarming gift, I can personalise your map to make it truly unique. For example, I can add a short message, or highlight an important location, or add your family's coat of arms.

The options are almost infinite. Please see my map personalisation page for some wonderful examples of what's possible.

To order a personalised map, select "personalise your map" before adding it to your basket.

Get in touch if you're looking for more complex customisations and personalisations.

Map ageing

I have been asked hundreds of times over the years by customers if they could buy a map that looks even older.

Well, now you can, by selecting Aged before you add a map to your basket.

All the product photos you see on this page show the map in its Original form. This is what the map looks like today.

If you select Aged, I will age your map by hand, using a special and unique process developed through years of studying old maps, talking to researchers to understand the chemistry of aging paper, and of course... lots of practice!

If you're unsure, stick to the Original colour of the map. If you want something a bit darker and older looking, go for Aged.

See some amazing examples of Aged maps.

If you are not happy with your unique map for any reason, contact me for a no-quibble refund.

I am very confident you will like your old map. I have been doing this since 1984. I'm a 5-star Etsy seller. I have sold tens of thousands of maps and have over 4,000 real 5-star reviews.

I use a unique process to restore my maps that is massively time consuming and labour intensive. Hunting down the original maps can take months. I use state of the art and eye-wateringly expensive technology to scan and restore the maps. As a result, I guarantee my maps are a cut above the rest - that's why I can offer a no-quibble refund.

Almost all of my maps look amazing at large sizes (200cm, 6.5ft+) and I can frame and deliver them to you as well, via special oversized courier. Contact me to discuss your specific needs.