Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
Merian is best known for his distinctive plans and views of towns. This map of his adopted
home city was dedicated to the municipal government and originally published in 1628.
Several later editions were produced, with revisions to reflect changes in the city's buildings.
This version - issued three decades after Merian's death but still bearing his name - has been
updated to 1682. It was engraved and printed as four separate sheets, which have been glued
together to form the complete map. Our copy is accompanied by a short pamphlet containing
a key to the numbered buildings marked on the map, and a brief history of the city, beginning
with the 8th century Frankish King Pepin the Short and ending in 1682 with a public celeb-
ration marking the birth of a son to the Emperor Leopold I.
Frankfurt is depicted in bird's-eye view, from a slight angle. For the viewer, this creates a
feeling similar to that which we now experience when looking down from a very tall building
or a low-flying aircraft. We see the bustling metropolis that was the Merian family's familiar,
everyday environment. Tiny people walk and ride through the streets of skilfully-rendered
buildings; other citizens are sailing along the River Main or crossing the bridge on their way
to and from the southern district of Sachsenhausen.
During this period, Frankfurt was part of the Holy Roman Empire, a complex agglomera-
tion of states stretching across much of what are now Germany, Austria and northern Italy. It
was proud of its status as a free imperial city, which made it answerable to no overlord except
the emperor himself and gave it direct representation in the diet (or parliament). This pride
is reflected in the cartouche at top right, which combines the imperial and municipal coats
of arms. Frankfurt todayremains an important commercial and transport hub, and mainland
Europe's leading financial centre. Over the past few centuries, its urban area has grown ex-
ponentially, leaving the walled city on this map - now known at the Altstadt, or Old Town -
as a small district at its heart.
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