Map of Moscow, 17th century.

Map of Moscow, 17th century.
"Moscovia Vrbs Metropolis".
Illuminated engraving.
In Latin.
It presents some faults on the sides and soiling.
Measurements: 37 x 48 cm.

Copy of the second plan of Moscow by Braun & Hogenberg, first published in 1617. This detailed engraving of Moscow appeared in volume 6 of Braun & Hogenberg's "Civitatus Orbis Theatrum". Two versions of this plan exist. The first state includes a key locating 20 places on the map, with corresponding numbers placed within the map itself. The second state includes three lines of text on the map, one to the right of the number 18 and two additional lines in the open spaces between the city walls, towards the bottom of the map, marking the "Intima", "Secunda" and "Tertia" parts of the city. The map is believed to be from a Russian topographical survey prepared by order of Boris Fyodorovich Godunov (c. 1551-1605), Tsar of Muscovy from 1598, and was probably drawn before 1630. The original Russian plan has apparently not survived, and Braun & Hogenberg may have used a copy made in 1610 for King Sigismund III of Poland. The plan shows the old city surrounding the Kremlin and the Kitai Gorod or Fortified City. The name Kremlin first appears as Kreml' (or Upper Town) in an account of the burning of the city in 1331. It was founded in 1147 at the confluence of two rivers, the Moskva and the Neglinnaya. As Moscow grew, the Kremlin became the royal, religious and cultural center of the city.