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Antique maps > europe > germany > Antique map of Aachen by Braun & Hogenberg

Aich - Aquisgranum, Urbs Prae Clarissima, Primum, Inter Quatuor Imperii Civitates, Locum Obtinet - Braun & Hogenberg, 1572-1624.



Bird's-eye view of Aachen.

TRANSLATION OF CARTOUCHE TEXT: Aachen, the highly famed city, ranks highest amongst the four imperial cities.

COMMENTARY BY BRAUN: "Carolus, king of the Franks, with the later cognomen Magnus, came here by chance while hunting and was delighted by its thermal springs, its charm and the convenient location of the site, and so he restored it together by its residence and erected a royal palace there. Because he was an exceedingly God-fearing man, he built the splendid chapel at considerable cost on the same spot, next to his imperial palace, and had it consecrated by Leo, Bishop of Rome, in honour of God and the Blessed Virgin Mary and furnished it with rich gifts, chiefly with sacred memorials of steadfast faith, or relics. On account of the relics he instignated a pilgrimage every seven years, which still takes place today."

Aachen - formerly called Aix-la-Chapelle - is the first German city to be presented by Braun and Hogenberg. Even in their day it was the subject of "a remarkable quantity of highquality maps and views". Aachen played a central role in the Holy Roman Empire. For this reason Braun emphasizes the "Heiltumsfahrt" (pilgrimage to the sacred relics), the construction of the palace and the Palatine chapel (c.800) and the hot sulphur springs, which had been appreciated earlier by the Romans. The Old High German word Ahha (Acha) means water; the Romans called the site Aquae Grani, later Aquisgranum, after Grannus, the god of healing. Thirty-two kings were crowned in Aachen, the last being Ferdinand I in 1531. The illustration of Aachen offers a bird's-eye view looking diagonally towards the south. The artist has manipulated the position on many buildings in order to show us their public faÇades, and the town hall and cathedral have each been rotated 90 degrees. (Taschen).

Copper engraving
Size: 32.5 x 38.5cm (12.7 x 15 inches)
Verso text: Latin
Condition: Old coloured.
Condition Rating: A
References: Van der Krogt 4, 2, state 1; Taschen, Braun and Hogenberg, p.68.

From: Civitates Orbis Terrarum, ... Part 1. Köln, 1572-1624.

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Item number: 09173
Price: 700 Euro

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