Vilna Litvaniae Metropolis (Vilnius Metropolis of Lithuania)

Manufacturer / MakerCreated by Georg Braun (1541 Cologne, Germany - 1622 Cologne, Germany)

Manufacturer / MakerCreated by Frans Hogenberg (1535 Mechelen, Belgium - 1590 Cologne, Germany)

Date1581

Mediumhand colored etching on paper

Dimensions15 1/2 × 21 in. (39.4 × 53.3 cm)

ClassificationsDocumentary Artifact

Credit LineAlbuquerque Museum, gift of the Albuquerque Museum Foundation from the Lucia v. B. Batten Estate

Object numberPC2015.26.56

DescriptionOriginally published in 'Civitates Orbis Terrarium,' Braun's book contained maps with decorated drawings in the margins and was published in 1581. This bird's eye example of Vilnius in Lithuania includes an outline of the streets and a foreground of merchants and travelers overlooking the city. The scene is captured from the west, with the city expanding along the river Neris. The legend on the lower left identifies 28 key sites. Growing suburbs expand beyond the old walled city, which is dominated by the Upper Castle of Gediminas, which rests top the hill to the left of the view, while below is the large enclosure of the medieval royal castle. Other prominent landmarks include the late Gothic brick Church of St. John, and the Monastery of St. Bernard. The text is in Latin.

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