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.

This orderly plan of the Scottish capital was derived from an engraving in Ralph Holished's Chronicles published in 1574. The bird's-eye plan depicts the old city dominated by the hilltop castle labeled Castrum puellarum (Castle of the Maidens); a reference to Pictish princesses that were supposed to be lodged there. Viewed from the south, the city with its tall tenement buildings, citadel and the abbey/monastery of St. Giles is encircled by medieval walls. The Palace of Holyrood, ransacked during the English raids at the end of Henry VIII’s reign, lies just outside the city walls on the right. The plan is decorated by two strapwork cartouches and figures in the foreground. French text on verso.

References: Fussel, p. 205; Goss (City) plt. 18; Van der Krogt (Vol. IV) #1185.

Condition: A

A nice impression with some faint creasing at lower right. There are two small repaired holes adjacent to the centerfold with minute loss of image.