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 sheet contains three panoramic views of locations in southern Spain near Seville. At top is the fortified town of Los Palacios. In the 18th century it merged with the neighboring community of Villafranca de la Marisma, forming Los Palacios Y Villafranca. The central view of Las Alcantarillas features a bridge crossing the Palacios marshes. It was "built by the Romans, to make it easier to cross the wet and boggy ground, and is famed for its height and wonderfully skillful construction." The bottom view presents Cabecas ,or presently Las Cabezas de San Juan, situated only 27 kilometers from Los Palacios. The city was built on top of ruins which were the remains of defensive towers constructed by Hannibal in the 3rd Century BCE. Drawn by Georg Hoefnagel, who is seated in the foreground of the bottom view.

References: Fussel, p. 356; Van der Krogt (Vol. IV) #2468.

Condition: B+

Full contemporary color on a watermarked sheet with two small tears at bottom that have been archivally repaired on verso. There is some light dampstaining confined to the blank margins.