Rare Old Map of Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship (Prussia) by Joan Blaeu, 1665: Olsztyn, Elbląg, Ełk, Ostroda, and Giżycko, with Masurian Lakes, Biskupiec and Łyna

Experience the grandeur of 17th century cartography with this historical masterpiece by the renowned Dutch mapmaker, Joan Blaeu. This meticulously crafted map of what is now known as Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship, with the Polish town of Orneta at its heart, transports you back to a time when Prussia was emerging as a major European power. With every intricate detail, Blaeu's exceptional work captures the unique geography and settlements of this captivating region, providing a window into the area's rich history and diverse culture.

Each settlement within the 100km radius of Orneta is not just a dot on the map, but a story in itself. From the hustle and bustle of modern cities to the peaceful tranquillity of smaller towns, this map offers an exquisite snapshot of Prussian life in 1665. Major historical events, the formation of boundaries, and the natural beauty of the region, including rivers and lakes, all are magnificently etched into this invaluable historical artefact. It's not just a map; it's a testament to the brilliance of early cartography and a celebration of the region's fascinating past.

List of Settlements:

1. Olsztyn (Allenstein): Known for its gothic castle, a former residence of the warmian bishops, and hosting the Museum of Warmia and Mazury.
2. Elbląg (Elbing): Known for its Old Town, meticulously reconstructed after the massive destruction during World War II.
3. Ełk (Lyck): Famous for Ełk Lake and the scenic promenade alongside it.
4. Ostroda (Osterode): Known for the Ostroda Castle, a significant historical monument.
5. Giżycko (Lötzen): A renowned center of tourism thanks to the beautiful surrounding Masurian Lake District.
6. Iława (Deutsch Eylau): Known for its beautiful Jeziorak Lake, the longest lake in Poland.
7. Działdowo (Soldau): Famous for the historic Działdowo Castle from the 14th century.
8. Biskupiec (Bischofsburg): Known for its Biskupiec Castle and the annual Stork Festival.
9. Braniewo (Braunsberg): The old Bishop's seat, known for its beautiful cathedral.
10. Pisz (Johannisburg): Known for the Pisz Forest, one of the oldest forests in Poland.
11. Bartoszyce (Bartenstein): Famous for Bartoszyce Castle and the historic city walls.
12. Szczytno (Ortelsburg): Known for the Szczytno Castle and the surrounding scenic landscapes.
13. Pasłęk (Preußisch Holland): Famous for its well-preserved medieval city walls and gothic style architecture.
14. Lidzbark Warmiński (Heilsberg): Notable for its grand castle complex, which is one of the most precious monuments of Gothic architecture in Poland.
15. Mrągowo (Sensburg): Known for hosting the famous Country Picnic, a major country music festival.
16. Kętrzyn (Rastenburg): Known for the Wolf's Lair, Adolf Hitler's first Eastern Front military headquarters in World War II.
17. Reszel (Rößel): Famous for the medieval Reszel Castle and the annual Theatre Meetings "Krasicki's Summer".
18. Nidzica (Neidenburg): Known for the Teutonic castle, a gothic brick structure of the 14th century.
19. Olsztynek (Hohenstein): Notable for the Museum of Folk Architecture, an open-air museum showcasing traditional Polish countryside buildings.
20. Mława (Mlawa): Known for its historic marketplace and its central location in the events of the early days of World War II.
21. Gołdap (Goldap): Famous for its geothermal waters and health resorts.
22. Ryn (Rhein): Known for its Gothic castle located on the isthmus between two lakes.
23. Węgorzewo (Angerburg): Renowned for its annual sailing events, held on the Mamry Lake.
24. Orneta (Wormditt): Known for its Gothic town hall and the Church of the Holy Spirit.
25. Górowo Iławeckie (Landsberg): Notable for its many preserved old buildings and the characteristic historical center.
26. Morąg (Mohrungen): Famous for the Morąg Castle, one of the best-preserved castles of the Teutonic Order.
27. Korsze (Korschen): Known for the war monument from the first world war.
28. Jeziorany (Seeburg): Known for its medieval defensive walls and the St. Peter and Paul Church.
29. Dobre Miasto (Guttstadt): Known for its well-preserved defensive walls and the Basilica of the Holy Saviour and All Saints.
30. Lidzbark (Lautenburg): Notable for its picturesque location on the Łyna River.

Notable Boundaries, Rivers, Lakes, and Other Natural Phenomena:

• Masurian Lake District: An enchanting labyrinth of over 2000 lakes, popular among nature enthusiasts and sailors.
• Łyna River: The longest river in the Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship, offering scenic beauty and recreational opportunities.
• Dadaj Lake: Known for its clear water, beautiful beaches, and water sports.
• Puszcza Borecka (Boreckie Forest): One of the few places in Poland where European bison live in the wild.
• Wolf’s Lair (Wilczy Szaniec): The remnants of Adolf Hitler's bunker complex near Kętrzyn, a poignant reminder of WWII history.

Historical events:

• The Deluge (1655-1660): This devastating Swedish invasion of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth greatly affected the region.
• The Treaty of Bromberg (1657): This treaty partially settled disputes between Poland and Brandenburg-Prussia, influencing the region's development.
• The formation of Ducal Prussia (1660): This map captures the territory soon after its elevation to a full-fledged Duchy, freed from Polish suzerainty.

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 70in (178cm). 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.

Please note the unframed 24x30in (61x76cm) map has white edges around the map. These edges can help you with framing, or if you don’t need them they are very easy to snip off with scissors. All other maps, including the framed maps, look exactly like the listing images.

If you’re looking for something slightly different, check out my main collection of European city, province and country maps.

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.