Rare Old Map of Upper Saxony by Visscher, 1690: Leipzig, Dresden, Magdeburg, Halle (Saale), Erfurt

This exquisite artifact, 'Circuli Saxoniae superioris: pars meridionalis in qu a sunt ducatus Saxoniae', translates to 'Upper Circle of Saxony: southern part in which are the Duchies of Saxony'. Crafted by Nicolaes Visscher II in 1690, it presents a detailed depiction of Upper Saxony, a region now part of modern Germany. The map provides a fascinating insight into the historical and political landscape of the time, reflecting the territorial divisions and prominent cities of the period.

The map is rich in detail, featuring the cities of Leipzig, Dresden, Magdeburg, Halle (Saale), and Erfurt. Leipzig, a city of historical significance, was a major European center of learning and culture in fields such as music and publishing. Dresden, known as the Jewel Box because of its baroque and rococo city center, is also highlighted, providing a glimpse into its past before it became the capital of Saxony.

Magdeburg, one of the oldest cities in the eastern part of Germany, is also featured prominently. The city was a significant medieval city, and its representation on the map underlines its importance during the period. Halle (Saale), known for its rich salt production, and Erfurt, with its well-preserved medieval cityscape, are also depicted, adding to the historical value of the map.

Nicolaes Visscher II, the creator of the map, was part of the renowned Visscher family of cartographers, artists, and publishers. His grandfather, Claes Janszoon Visscher, was a significant figure during the Dutch Golden Age of cartography. This map is a testament to the Visscher family's contribution to cartography, providing a detailed and accurate depiction of Upper Saxony in the late 17th century. It's a piece of history, offering a window into the past, and a valuable addition to any collection.

Some of the significant locations shown on this map:

Duchy of Saxony:

• Leipzig: Known as the 'City of Heroes' for its role in initiating the fall of the Berlin Wall. It was also a major European center of learning and culture in fields such as music and publishing.
• Dresden: Known as the Jewel Box because of its baroque and rococo city center. It was also the capital of Saxony.
• Magdeburg: One of the oldest cities in the eastern part of Germany, it was a significant medieval city.
• Halle (Saale): Known for its rich salt production.
• Erfurt: Noted for its well-preserved medieval cityscape.
• Chemnitz: Known as Karl-Marx-Stadt during the era of the German Democratic Republic.
• Zwickau: The birthplace of Robert Schumann, one of the most famous composers of the Romantic era.
• Gera: The third-largest city in Thuringia.
• Plauen: Known for Plauen lace, which was popular throughout Europe.
• Görlitz: Known for its well-preserved old town that offers over 500 years of architectural history.
• Weimar: Famous for its cultural heritage, being home to personalities like Goethe and Schiller.
• Jena: Known for its university, one of the oldest in Germany.
• Bautzen: Famous for its historical old town with numerous towers.
• Freiberg: Known for its historic silver mines and the Freiberg University of Mining and Technology.
• Annaberg-Buchholz: Noted for its old town and the Annaberg St. Anne's Church.

Upper Saxony:

• Cottbus: Known for its rich Slavic history and the Branitz Park, one of Germany's most beautiful parks.
• Brandenburg an der Havel: One of the birthplaces of the German nation, it was the capital of the Margraviate of Brandenburg.
• Frankfurt (Oder): Known for its university and the 'Bridge of Europe' connecting Germany and Poland.
• Potsdam: Known for its historical legacy as a royal residence, with palaces such as Sanssouci.
• Eisenhüttenstadt: Known as Stalinstadt during the era of the German Democratic Republic.
• Fürstenwalde/Spree: Known for its cathedral, the Dom St. Mary.
• Guben: Known for its hat-making history, with the saying "If you want to know how many people live in Guben, count the hats".
• Strausberg: Known for its well-preserved medieval city wall.
• Bernau bei Berlin: Known for its preserved medieval city wall and gate.
• Schwedt/Oder: Known for its Baroque buildings such as the Schwedt Castle.
• Eberswalde: Known for the Eberswalde Zoo, one of the oldest zoos in Germany.
• Oranienburg: Known for the Oranienburg Palace, a beautiful Baroque palace.

Notable natural phenomena and tourist attractions:

• Elbe River: One of the major rivers of Central Europe, passing through Dresden.
• Harz National Park: Home to the Brocken, the highest peak in northern Germany.
• Spreewald Biosphere Reserve: A vast network of waterways and walking trails near Cottbus.
• Bastei: A rock formation towering 194 metres above the Elbe River in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains.
• Moritzburg Castle: A Baroque palace in Moritzburg in the German state of Saxony.

Notable historical events (1600-1690):

• The Battle of Breitenfeld (1631): A decisive victory for the Swedish army in the Thirty Years' War.
• The Peace of Westphalia (1648): A series of peace treaties signed in the Westphalian cities of Osnabrück and Münster, effectively ending the European wars of religion.
• The Great Saxon Revolt (1073-1075): A civil war in the Holy Roman Empire where the dukes of Swabia and Saxony rose against the King.

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 100in (254cm). 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.