Braun & Hogenberg's Civitates Orbis Terrarum or "Cities of the World" was published between 1572 and 1617. Within the six volumes, 531 towns and cities were depicted on 363 plates, providing the reader with the pleasures of travel without the attendant discomforts. Braun wrote in the preface to the third book, "What could be more pleasant than, in one's own home far from all danger, to gaze in these books at the universal form of the earth . . . adorned with the splendor of cities and fortresses and, by looking at pictures and reading the texts accompanying them, to acquire knowledge which could scarcely be had but by long and difficult journeys?" Braun and Hogenberg incorporated an astonishing wealth of information into each scene beyond the city layout and important buildings. The plates provide an impression of the economy and prominent occupations, and illustrate local costumes, manners and customs.

A superb bird's-eye plan of Bologna, the "seat of the sciences" as indicated in the title cartouche. The fortified city is viewed from the north and each individual street and building is depicted in great detail. The large building near the center of the city is the Palazzo Comunale and the nearby church is the San Petronio. The city's coat of arms is shown at top right, and a pair of figures wearing local costumes appears in the foreground. French text on verso.

References: Fussel, p. 334.

Condition: A

A nice impression on a sheet with a coat of arms watermark, minor toning, a tiny hole along the centerfold at top, and a chip at bottom right.