1666 Terra Sancta sive Promissionis, olim Palestina recens delineate, et in lucem edita pr Anno 1659er Nicolaum Vissche.

Terra Sancta sive Promissionis, olim Palestina recens delineate, et in lucem edita per Nicolaum Visscher Anno 1659. This marvelous decorative map of the Holy Land by Nicolas Visscher set the standard for maps of the Holy Land for quite some time. The compass orients the map to the right (the West), as are oriented many Holy Land maps, in order to present the region in an easy to read horizontal view rather than vertically. Quite a number of sea-going vessels ply the Mediterranean, from smaller local size varieties to larger European frigates. One ship is shown with an enormous whale alongside, an allusion to the Biblical story of Jonah and the whale. Another is loaded with cedar destined for the construction of King Solomon’s Temple, as is attested by the Latin inscription near the ship. Inland we see the territories of each of the tribes of Israel colored and named, all easily identifiable. All known cities, towns and settlements are noted, as are major heavily-traveled routes and car