Rare Old Map of Bishopric of Liège, Belgium by Visscher, 1690: Brussels, Antwerp, Cologne, Bonn, Düsseldorf

Immerse yourself in the rich history of the Bishopric of Liège with this meticulously detailed map crafted by Nicolaes Visscher II in 1690. The map, officially titled 'Leodiensis Episcopatus in omnes subjacentes provincias distincte divisus', translates to 'The Bishopric of Liège, distinctly divided into all the underlying provinces'. This provides a fascinating glimpse into the political and geographical divisions of the time, specifically focusing on the Bishopric of Liège, a significant ecclesiastical territory within the modern-day area of Belgium.

Nicolaes Visscher II, the map's creator, hailed from a lineage of esteemed mapmakers from the Dutch Golden Age. His grandfather, Claes Janszoon Visscher, was renowned for his extraordinary cartographic skills, a legacy that Nicolaes successfully upheld. This map stands as a testament to the precision and artistry that the Visscher family brought to the field of cartography.

This map is not merely a geographical representation but also a historical document that captures the essence of the late 17th century. It features five significant cities: Brussels, Antwerp, Cologne, Bonn, and Düsseldorf. Each city is represented with its own unique characteristics, providing an intriguing exploration of the region's urban landscapes during this period.

The map also highlights several landmarks and geographical features that were of importance during this time. The political divisions and boundaries are clearly marked, providing a comprehensive understanding of the region's administrative structure. This map offers an invaluable perspective on the Bishopric of Liège, making it an ideal piece for those interested in history, cartography, or the unique allure of old maps.

Some of the significant locations shown on this map:

Bishopric of Liège

• Brussels: Known as the capital of Belgium today, Brussels was a bustling city even in 1690. It was historically known as Bruxella or Bruocsella.
• Antwerp: Known for its diamond district and seaport, Antwerp was an important center of commerce and culture. It was historically known as Antwerpen.
• Liège: The city from which the Bishopric takes its name, Liège was a significant ecclesiastical and political center. It was historically known as Leodium.
• Namur: The capital of Wallonia, Namur was a strategic location at the confluence of the Meuse and Sambre rivers. It was historically known as Namen.
• Tournai: One of the oldest cities in Belgium, Tournai was known for its cultural and architectural heritage. It was historically known as Tornacum.
• Mons: Known for its rich history and architecture, Mons was an important center of trade and culture. It was historically known as Montes.
• Louvain: Known for its historic university, Louvain was a center of learning and scholarship. It was historically known as Lovanium.
• Charleroi: Founded in 1666, Charleroi was a fortification on the Sambre river. It was historically known as Charnoy.
• Hasselt: Known for its jenever distilleries, Hasselt was an important center of the spirits industry. It was historically known as Hassaluth.
• Verviers: Known for its wool and textile industry, Verviers was an important center of trade. It was historically known as Vervia.

Duchy of Brabant

• 's-Hertogenbosch: Known for its well-preserved medieval city center, 's-Hertogenbosch was an important cultural center. It was historically known as Silva Ducis.
• Breda: Known for its historic castle, Breda was a center of nobility and power. It was historically known as Brede.
• Tilburg: Known for its wool industry, Tilburg was an important center of trade. It was historically known as Tilborch.
• Eindhoven: Known for its metal and textile industries, Eindhoven was an important center of trade. It was historically known as Endehoven.
• Roosendaal: Known for its strategic location on the trade route between Antwerp and Rotterdam, Roosendaal was an important center of commerce. It was historically known as Rosendale.

County of Flanders

• Ghent: Known for its wool industry and rich cultural heritage, Ghent was an important center of trade and culture. It was historically known as Gandavum.
• Bruges: Known for its canals and historic city center, Bruges was a center of commerce and culture. It was historically known as Brugge.
• Kortrijk: Known for its flax industry, Kortrijk was an important center of trade. It was historically known as Cortoriacum.
• Ostend: Known for its seaport, Ostend was an important center of maritime trade. It was historically known as Ostende.
• Roeselare: Known for its linen and lace industries, Roeselare was an important center of trade. It was historically known as Roslar.

Notable natural phenomena:

• The Meuse River: A major European river flowing through France, Belgium, and the Netherlands.
• The Sambre River: A river in northern France and in Wallonia, Belgium, it is a left-bank tributary of the Meuse.
• The Ardennes: A region of extensive forests, rough terrain, rolling hills and ridges.
• The Hoge Kempen National Park: A national park located in the Belgian province of Limburg.
• The High Fens: A moorland area in the province of Liège.

Notable historical events:

• The Eighty Years' War (1568–1648): A revolt of the Seventeen Provinces against the political and religious hegemony of Philip II of Spain.
• The Franco-Dutch War (1672–1678): France, allied with England, invaded the Netherlands in an attempt to expand its territory.
• The Treaty of Nijmegen (1678): The treaty ended various interconnected wars among France, the Dutch Republic, Spain, Brandenburg, Sweden, Denmark, the Prince-Bishopric of Münster, and the Holy Roman Empire.

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 all sizes: 12x16in (30.5x41cm), 16x20in (40.5x51cm), 18x24in (45.5x61cm), 24x30in (61x76cm), 32x40in (81.5x102cm), 40x50in (102x127cm), 48x60in (122x153cm) and 56x70in (142x178cm), but it looks even better when printed large.

I can create beautiful, large prints of this map up to 90in (229cm). Please get in touch if you're looking for larger, customised or different framing options.

The model in the listing images is holding the 16x20in (40.5x51cm) 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 of Europe and European cities 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.

My maps are extremely high quality reproductions of original maps.

I source original, rare maps from libraries, auction houses and private collections around the world, restore them at my London workshop, and then use specialist giclée inks and printers to create beautiful maps that look even better than the original.

My maps are printed on acid-free archival matte (not glossy) paper that feels very high quality and almost like card. In technical terms the paper weight/thickness is 10mil/200gsm. It's perfect for framing.

I print with Epson ultrachrome giclée UV fade resistant pigment inks - some of the best inks you can find.

I can also make maps on canvas, cotton rag and other exotic materials.

Learn more about The Unique Maps Co.

Map personalisation

If you're looking for the perfect anniversary or housewarming gift, I can personalise your map to make it truly unique. For example, I can add a short message, or highlight an important location, or add your family's coat of arms.

The options are almost infinite. Please see my map personalisation page for some wonderful examples of what's possible.

To order a personalised map, select "personalise your map" before adding it to your basket.

Get in touch if you're looking for more complex customisations and personalisations.

Map ageing

I have been asked hundreds of times over the years by customers if they could buy a map that looks even older.

Well, now you can, by selecting Aged before you add a map to your basket.

All the product photos you see on this page show the map in its Original form. This is what the map looks like today.

If you select Aged, I will age your map by hand, using a special and unique process developed through years of studying old maps, talking to researchers to understand the chemistry of aging paper, and of course... lots of practice!

If you're unsure, stick to the Original colour of the map. If you want something a bit darker and older looking, go for Aged.

See some amazing examples of Aged maps.

If you are not happy with your unique map for any reason, contact me for a no-quibble refund.

I am very confident you will like your old map. I have been doing this since 1984. I'm a 5-star Etsy seller. I have sold tens of thousands of maps and have over 4,000 real 5-star reviews.

I use a unique process to restore my maps that is massively time consuming and labour intensive. Hunting down the original maps can take months. I use state of the art and eye-wateringly expensive technology to scan and restore the maps. As a result, I guarantee my maps are a cut above the rest - that's why I can offer a no-quibble refund.

Almost all of my maps look amazing at large sizes (200cm, 6.5ft+) and I can frame and deliver them to you as well, via special oversized courier. Contact me to discuss your specific needs.