Edinburgh City Plan, Italy, 1700s

Details

Description

This is a charming hand-colored engraved plan of Edinburgh, titled in Italian Edenburgo, Metropoli della Scozia, meaning “Edinburgh, Metropolis of … Read more This is a charming hand-colored engraved plan of Edinburgh, titled in Italian Edenburgo, Metropoli della Scozia, meaning “Edinburgh, Metropolis of Scotland.” The print depicts a bird’s-eye view city plan showing the detailed street layout, surrounding hills, and the prominent Edinburgh Castle set upon its rocky outcrop. The map’s style and Italian title indicate it was published in the late 17th or early 18th century, likely by publishers such as Pietro Bertelli or in reissues by Italian map and city view publishers in Padua or Venice. This type of city plan was popular during the Grand Tour period when Italian engravers produced extensive series of European city views and plans for educated travellers and collectors. The engraving shows a fortified medieval city layout with bastions and gates, streets neatly arranged within walls, small trees scattered in the background, and surrounding hills giving a sense of natural fortification. The castle is prominently illustrated on the left, atop Castle Rock, emphasizing its importance in Scotland’s history as a royal fortress and military stronghold. These city plans were often published alongside panoramic views and regional maps, forming part of works such as *Civitates Orbis Terrarum* or Italian geographical atlases. They served not only as references but also as cultural representations of Europe’s major cities, widely collected by scholars and nobles.

Condition Report: Very good condition overall. Strong and vivid contemporary hand coloring. Some light general age toning and faint marginal foxing, typical for its age. Paper edges with minimal wear. No tears or repairs noted. Wide margins present, ideal for framing. See less