Rare Old Monochrome Map of Cologne by Braun, 1575: Cathedral, Rathaus, Heumarkt, Rhine River, City Walls

Embark on a journey through time with the exquisite "Colonia Agrippina" map, meticulously crafted by Georg Braun in 1575. This masterpiece provides a bird's-eye view of Cologne, Germany, during the zenith of its Renaissance flourishing. As one of the earliest printed maps of Cologne, it captures the city's architectural grandeur and bustling streets with remarkable detail. The original title, "Colonia Agrippina," not only pays homage to the city's Roman roots but also highlights its historical significance. This map is a testament to the city's strategic importance and cultural vibrancy, showcasing its well-defined semicircular ground plan that elegantly fronts the majestic Rhine River.

The map's intricate design reveals Cologne's rich tapestry of neighborhoods, from the historic Altstadt (Old Town) to the bustling Neustadt (New Town) and the serene Rheinviertel (Rhine Quarter). Each district is depicted with such precision that one can almost hear the clamor of the Heumarkt (Hay Market) or the solemn silence of the numerous churches and monasteries. The inclusion of landmarks like the towering Cologne Cathedral and the stately Rathaus (City Hall) not only serves as a guide through the city's streets but also as a window into its soul, reflecting the architectural and spiritual aspirations of its inhabitants.

Navigating through the map, one is drawn to the lifelike illustrations of people and animals that populate the cityscape, from the traditional German attire of a man and woman to the dynamic scene of a horse-drawn carriage. These vignettes offer a glimpse into the daily life of Cologne's citizens, amidst a backdrop of economic prosperity and cultural exchange. The presence of soldiers hints at the city's strategic importance, while the detailed depiction of the Rhine River underscores Cologne's pivotal role in trade and navigation.

Braun's commentary and the narrative inscribed within the cartouches enrich the map with layers of historical context. From the strategic significance of Cologne's bridge to the religious import of the relics of the Magi, each cartouche weaves a tale of political, ecclesiastical, and cultural power. The map not only portrays Cologne as a center of trade and academia but also as a beacon of governance within the Hanseatic League and the Holy Roman Empire. This confluence of history and artistry renders the map not just a geographical representation but a vibrant tapestry of Cologne's illustrious past.

In essence, "Colonia Agrippina" by Georg Braun is more than a map; it is a luxury artifact that encapsulates the spirit of Cologne in the 16th century. Its detailed cityscape, rich historical narratives, and artistic flair make it a prized possession for any collector or enthusiast of history and cartography. This map invites viewers to traverse the cobblestone streets of Cologne, exploring its neighborhoods, landmarks, and the flowing Rhine, all from the comfort of their own home. A true masterpiece of the Late Renaissance, it stands as a testament to the fusion of artistic grandeur and empirical observation, immortalizing Cologne's architectural, political, and spiritual fabric during a significant epoch of its history.

Streets and roads on this map

• Aachener Strasse
• Bach
• Breitestrasse
• Bruckgasse
• Budengasse
• Carthäusergasse
• Cölnische Strasse
• Griechenmarkt
• Hahnenstrasse
• Heumarkt
• Hochstrasse
• Hunsrücken
• Julichs Platz
• Kaygasse
• Lintgasse
• Marzellenstrasse
• Neugasse
• Niederich Strasse
• Pantaleonskloster
• Perlengraben
• Pferdmarkt
• Rheingasse
• Rinkenpfuhl
• Salzgasse
• Schildergasse
• Schlachthausgasse
• Sternengasse
• Thiebolds Gasse
• Trankgasse
• Unter Goldschmied
• Weyerstrass

Notable Features & Landmarks

• Illustrations: Include a man and woman in traditional German clothing, a horse-drawn carriage, and a group of soldiers.
• Neighbourhoods: Altstadt (Old Town), Neustadt (New Town), and the Rheinviertel (Rhine Quarter).
• Landmarks: Cologne Cathedral, Rathaus (City Hall), and Heumarkt (Hay Market).
• Lakes: The Rhine River, which flows through Cologne.
• Parks: Stadtgarten (City Garden) and Rheinpark (Rhine Park).
• Other notable features: The city walls of Cologne, as well as the location of several churches and monasteries.

Historical and design context

• Name: Colonia Agrippina
• Date: 1575
• Mapmaker/Publisher: Georg Braun
• Topics/Themes: Cityscape, architecture, history
• Geographic Coverage: Depicts the city of Cologne, Germany, as it appeared in the 16th century, including the city's walls, gates, streets, buildings, the Rhine River, and the surrounding countryside.
• Design/Style: A bird's-eye view of the city, drawn in a realistic style, highly detailed, including many landmarks such as the Cologne Cathedral, the town hall, and the bridge over the Rhine.
• Historical Significance: Provides a detailed snapshot of Cologne at a time of economic and cultural flourishing, one of the earliest printed maps of Cologne.

Please double check the images to make sure that a specific town or place is shown on this map. You can also get in touch and ask us to check the map for you.

This map looks great at every size, but I always recommend going for a larger size if you have space. That way you can easily make out all of the details.

This map looks amazing at sizes all the way up to 50in (125cm). If you are looking for a larger map, please get in touch.

The model in the listing images is holding the 18x24in (45x60cm) version of this map.

The fifth listing image shows an example of my map personalisation service.

If you’re looking for something slightly different, check out my collection of the best old maps to see if something else catches your eye.

Please contact me to check if a certain location, landmark or feature is shown on this map.

This would make a wonderful birthday, Christmas, Father's Day, work leaving, anniversary or housewarming gift for someone from the areas covered by this map.

This map is available as a giclée print on acid free archival matte paper, or you can buy it framed. The frame is a nice, simple black frame that suits most aesthetics. Please get in touch if you'd like a different frame colour or material. My frames are glazed with super-clear museum-grade acrylic (perspex/acrylite), which is significantly less reflective than glass, safer, and will always arrive in perfect condition.

For most orders, delivery time is about 3 working days. Personalised and custom made maps take longer, as I have to do the personalisation and send it to you for approval, which usually takes a day or two.

Please note that for larger framed orders (over 40in/100cm), and some other framed sizes, the delivery time will be closer to 7-10 days.

If you need your order to arrive by a certain date, please contact me before you order so that we can find the best way of making sure you get your order in time.

I print and frame maps in 22 countries around the world. This means your map will be made locally, which cuts down on delivery time and reduces the chance of your map being damaged during delivery. There won't be any extra taxes or duties to pay, and we'll put less CO2 into the air.

All of my maps are well packaged and sent in a rugged tube if unframed, or surrounded by foam if framed.

I try to send out all maps within 1 or 2 days of receiving your order, though some products (like face masks or mugs) can take longer to make.

If you select Express Delivery at checkout your order we will prioritise your order and send it out by 1-day courier (Fedex, DHL, UPS, Parcelforce).

We can sometimes do next-day delivery if you order before 10am. But usually it's best to contact me first before you order.

Read my full delivery and local production guide

My standard frame is a gallery style black ash hardwood frame. It is simple and quite modern looking. My standard frame is around 20mm (0.8in) wide.

I use super-clear acrylic (perspex/acrylite) for the frame glass. It's lighter and safer than glass - and it looks better, as the reflectivity is lower.

Six standard frame colours are available for free (black, dark brown, dark grey, oak, white and antique gold). Custom framing and mounting/matting is available if you're looking for something else.

Most maps are also available as a framed canvas. The map is printed on matte (not shiny) canvas, stretched over a box frame, and then 'floated' within a simple wood frame. The end result is quite beautiful, and there's no glazing in front of your map.

All frames are provided "ready to hang", with either a string or brackets on the back. Very large frames will have heavy duty hanging plates and/or a mounting baton. If you have any questions, please get in touch.

See some examples of my framed maps and framed canvas maps.

Alternatively, I can also supply old maps on canvas, foam board, cotton rag and other materials.

If you want to frame your map yourself, please read my map size guide first.