{"product_id":"old-pictorial-birds-eye-map-of-baghdad-by-van-der-aa-1720-tigris-river-city-walls-mosques-markets-caravan-routes","title":"Old Bird's-Eye Map of Baghdad by van der Aa, 1720: Tigris River, city walls, mosques, markets, caravan routes","description":"\u003cp\u003eLa Ville de Bagdad, dans la Turquie, engraved by Pieter van der Aa in Leiden in 1720, is a richly detailed bird’s-eye view that fixes the Ottoman-era city at the confluence of empire, commerce, and riverine life. Baghdad unfurls along the Tigris (often styled “Tigres”) as a fortified organism: crenelated walls, riverfront quays, and a skyline punctuated by domes and minarets. A lettered key singles out prominent structures—mosques, palatial compounds, markets, and civic edifices—inviting close study of an urban hierarchy long famed in travel literature. In the foreground, mounted nobles and caravan camels animate the scene, foregrounding the trade arteries that sustained the city. As a city view, it is compelling for how it balances topographic clarity with narrative vignettes of power and exchange.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe composition captures Baghdad’s spatial logic as a river city whose neighborhoods concentrate along the Tigris’s navigable banks while agricultural fields quilt the periphery. Van der Aa emphasizes enclosure and access—walls, likely gates, and guarded approaches—to suggest both protection and control in an imperial frontier city. The lettered landmarks, precisely set amid dense quarters, reveal an urban core organized around congregational worship, commerce, and administration. Surrounding hills and open landscapes frame the settlement, underscoring its dependence on nearby cultivation and the lifeline of irrigation. Without enumerating street names, the view nevertheless conveys circulation patterns: processional avenues to the water, market clusters near gates, and axial alignments of domed complexes that knit together religious, mercantile, and civic life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSet during a period of Ottoman suzerainty marked by contraction, the view still memorializes Baghdad’s enduring magnetism at the hinge of Mesopotamia. The foreground cavalcade—costumed dignitaries and laden camels—serves as visual shorthand for caravan routes threading from Persia and the Gulf to Syria and Anatolia, with the river connecting upstream granaries to downstream entrepôts. The city’s bastions signal vigilance, yet the busy riverfront and cultivated hinterland imply resilience and continuity. By placing the Tigris at center stage, van der Aa reminds us that Baghdad’s fortunes have always been braided with water management and trade. This is a city map of movement—goods, people, ideas—readable in the choreography of approaches, riverine edges, and the clustered silhouettes of sacred and commercial precincts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePieter van der Aa, a prolific Leiden publisher renowned for translating travel narratives into arresting engravings, binds reportage to artistry in this plate. His technique—clean linework, judicious shading, and an elevated perspective—yields a legible city portrait that rewards both aesthetic appreciation and scholarly scrutiny. The lettered index is typical of his editorial craft, guiding the eye from monumental ensembles to the quotidian fabric. Decorative staffage—the nobles, camels, and rural labor—does more than ornament; it encodes the political and economic realities of an Ottoman provincial capital. Van der Aa’s cosmopolitan workshop synthesized diverse sources to create views that were at once instructive and alluring, situating Baghdad within a European atlas of cities while preserving the specificity of its architecture and terrain.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs a city map, this view is notable for the rare confluence of urban morphology, imperial context, and environmental setting it captures in a single glance. Few early-eighteenth-century images render Baghdad with such narrative density: walls holding a storied core, the Tigris channeling lifeblood, fields and hills delineating a sustaining countryside, and a ceremonial foreground proclaiming rank and route. It is a document to be read in layers—trace the river’s course, identify the lettered monuments, follow the implied paths from gates to markets, and you reconstruct the city’s economic ecosystem. For historians, it illuminates a transitional moment; for connoisseurs, it offers a masterclass in pictorial cartography, where every engraved figure helps explain why Baghdad mattered—and how it worked.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStreets and roads on this map\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUnfortunately, I am unable to confirm any specific streets or roads from the image analyzed.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNotable Features \u0026amp; Landmarks\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCaravan camels\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCostumed nobles\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eImportant buildings (marked by letters)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe Tigres River\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCity walls\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSurrounding hills and landscapes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDepiction of agricultural fields\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHistorical and design context\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTitle: La Ville de Bagdad, dans la Turquie\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMapmaker\/Publisher: Pieter van der Aa, published in Leiden\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDate: 1720\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThis is a fine example of a city birds-eye view pictorial map.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe view provides a perspective of Baghdad during the early 18th century, a period when it was under Ottoman control.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe artwork is characterized by its intricate illustrations and attention to architectural detail, typical of cartographic techniques in the early 18th century.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe map captures Baghdad during a pivotal moment of decline under Ottoman rule and reflects the city's former status as a major Middle Eastern center.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003ePlease 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis 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. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis map looks amazing at sizes all the way up to 50in (125cm). If you are looking for a larger map, please \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/contact-us\"\u003eget in touch\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003eThe model in the listing images is holding the 16x20in (40x50cm) version of this map.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe fifth listing image shows an example of my map personalisation service.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIf you’re looking for something slightly different, check out my collection of the \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/all-old-vintage-antique-maps\"\u003ebest old maps\u003c\/a\u003e to see if something else catches your eye.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ePlease \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/contact-us\"\u003econtact me\u003c\/a\u003e to check if a certain location, landmark or feature is shown on this map.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis would make a wonderful birthday, Christmas, Father's Day, work leaving, anniversary or housewarming gift for someone from the areas covered by this map.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis 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.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Unique Maps Co.","offers":[{"title":"12x16in (30x40cm) \/ Map","offer_id":57584476815744,"sku":"UM00263836A","price":362.0,"currency_code":"CNY","in_stock":true},{"title":"12x16in (30x40cm) \/ Framed map","offer_id":57584476848512,"sku":"UM00263837A","price":974.0,"currency_code":"CNY","in_stock":true},{"title":"12x16in (30x40cm) \/ Framed canvas map","offer_id":57584476881280,"sku":"UM00263838A","price":0.0,"currency_code":"CNY","in_stock":true},{"title":"A3 (297x420mm) \/ Map","offer_id":57584476914048,"sku":"UM00263839A","price":362.0,"currency_code":"CNY","in_stock":true},{"title":"A3 (297x420mm) \/ Framed map","offer_id":57584476946816,"sku":"UM00263840A","price":974.0,"currency_code":"CNY","in_stock":true},{"title":"A3 (297x420mm) \/ Framed canvas map","offer_id":57584476979584,"sku":"UM00263841A","price":0.0,"currency_code":"CNY","in_stock":true},{"title":"16x20in (40x50cm) \/ Map","offer_id":57584477012352,"sku":"UM00263842A","price":585.0,"currency_code":"CNY","in_stock":true},{"title":"16x20in (40x50cm) \/ Framed map","offer_id":57584477045120,"sku":"UM00263843A","price":1299.0,"currency_code":"CNY","in_stock":true},{"title":"16x20in (40x50cm) \/ Framed canvas map","offer_id":57584477077888,"sku":"UM00263844A","price":0.0,"currency_code":"CNY","in_stock":true},{"title":"18x24in (45x60cm) \/ Map","offer_id":57584477110656,"sku":"UM00263845A","price":678.0,"currency_code":"CNY","in_stock":true},{"title":"18x24in (45x60cm) \/ Framed map","offer_id":57584477143424,"sku":"UM00263846A","price":1485.0,"currency_code":"CNY","in_stock":true},{"title":"18x24in (45x60cm) \/ Framed canvas map","offer_id":57584477176192,"sku":"UM00263847A","price":0.0,"currency_code":"CNY","in_stock":true},{"title":"20x28in (50x70cm) \/ Map","offer_id":57584477208960,"sku":"UM00263848A","price":770.0,"currency_code":"CNY","in_stock":true},{"title":"20x28in (50x70cm) \/ Framed map","offer_id":57584477241728,"sku":"UM00263849A","price":2227.0,"currency_code":"CNY","in_stock":true},{"title":"20x28in (50x70cm) \/ Framed canvas map","offer_id":57584477274496,"sku":"UM00263850A","price":2505.0,"currency_code":"CNY","in_stock":true},{"title":"A2 (420x594mm) \/ Map","offer_id":57584477307264,"sku":"UM00263851A","price":678.0,"currency_code":"CNY","in_stock":true},{"title":"A2 (420x594mm) \/ Framed map","offer_id":57584477340032,"sku":"UM00263852A","price":1485.0,"currency_code":"CNY","in_stock":true},{"title":"A2 (420x594mm) \/ Framed canvas map","offer_id":57584477372800,"sku":"UM00263853A","price":0.0,"currency_code":"CNY","in_stock":true},{"title":"24x30in (60x75cm) \/ Map","offer_id":57584477405568,"sku":"UM00263854A","price":817.0,"currency_code":"CNY","in_stock":true},{"title":"24x30in (60x75cm) \/ Framed map","offer_id":57584477438336,"sku":"UM00263855A","price":2227.0,"currency_code":"CNY","in_stock":true},{"title":"24x30in (60x75cm) \/ Framed canvas map","offer_id":57584477471104,"sku":"UM00263856A","price":2505.0,"currency_code":"CNY","in_stock":true},{"title":"A1 (594x841mm) \/ Map","offer_id":57584477503872,"sku":"UM00263857A","price":817.0,"currency_code":"CNY","in_stock":true},{"title":"A1 (594x841mm) \/ Framed map","offer_id":57584477536640,"sku":"UM00263858A","price":2227.0,"currency_code":"CNY","in_stock":true},{"title":"A1 (594x841mm) \/ Framed canvas map","offer_id":57584477569408,"sku":"UM00263859A","price":2505.0,"currency_code":"CNY","in_stock":true},{"title":"28x40in (70x100cm) \/ Map","offer_id":57584477602176,"sku":"UM00263860A","price":1067.0,"currency_code":"CNY","in_stock":true},{"title":"28x40in (70x100cm) \/ Framed map","offer_id":57584477634944,"sku":"UM00263861A","price":3061.0,"currency_code":"CNY","in_stock":true},{"title":"28x40in (70x100cm) \/ Framed canvas map","offer_id":57584477667712,"sku":"UM00263862A","price":3061.0,"currency_code":"CNY","in_stock":true},{"title":"32x40in (80x100cm) \/ Map","offer_id":57584477700480,"sku":"UM00263863A","price":1067.0,"currency_code":"CNY","in_stock":true},{"title":"32x40in (80x100cm) \/ Framed map","offer_id":57584477733248,"sku":"UM00263864A","price":3061.0,"currency_code":"CNY","in_stock":true},{"title":"32x40in (80x100cm) \/ Framed canvas map","offer_id":57584477766016,"sku":"UM00263865A","price":3061.0,"currency_code":"CNY","in_stock":true},{"title":"A0 (841x1189mm) \/ Map","offer_id":57584477798784,"sku":"UM00263866A","price":1531.0,"currency_code":"CNY","in_stock":true},{"title":"A0 (841x1189mm) \/ Framed map","offer_id":57584477831552,"sku":"UM00263867A","price":7096.0,"currency_code":"CNY","in_stock":true},{"title":"A0 (841x1189mm) \/ Framed canvas map","offer_id":57584477864320,"sku":"UM00263868A","price":6679.0,"currency_code":"CNY","in_stock":true},{"title":"40x50in (100x127cm) \/ Map","offer_id":57584477897088,"sku":"UM00263869A","price":2319.0,"currency_code":"CNY","in_stock":true},{"title":"40x50in (100x127cm) \/ Framed map","offer_id":57584477929856,"sku":"UM00263870A","price":8626.0,"currency_code":"CNY","in_stock":true},{"title":"40x50in (100x127cm) \/ Framed canvas map","offer_id":57584477962624,"sku":"UM00263871A","price":8116.0,"currency_code":"CNY","in_stock":true},{"title":"48x60in (120x150cm) \/ Map","offer_id":57584477995392,"sku":"UM00263872A","price":2829.0,"currency_code":"CNY","in_stock":true},{"title":"48x60in (120x150cm) \/ Framed map","offer_id":57584478028160,"sku":"UM00263873A","price":12986.0,"currency_code":"CNY","in_stock":true},{"title":"48x60in (120x150cm) \/ Framed canvas map","offer_id":57584478060928,"sku":"UM00263874A","price":12058.0,"currency_code":"CNY","in_stock":true},{"title":"56x70in (142x178cm) \/ Map","offer_id":57584478093696,"sku":"UM00263875A","price":5241.0,"currency_code":"CNY","in_stock":true},{"title":"56x70in (142x178cm) \/ Framed map","offer_id":57584478126464,"sku":"UM00263876A","price":18319.0,"currency_code":"CNY","in_stock":true},{"title":"56x70in (142x178cm) \/ Framed canvas map","offer_id":57584478159232,"sku":"UM00263877A","price":17391.0,"currency_code":"CNY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0257\/0344\/8638\/files\/file_9a6b42b4-d78e-4495-bb51-63fc2d566bd8.jpg?v=1773181005","url":"https:\/\/uniquemaps.co\/products\/old-pictorial-birds-eye-map-of-baghdad-by-van-der-aa-1720-tigris-river-city-walls-mosques-markets-caravan-routes","provider":"The Unique Maps Co.","version":"1.0","type":"link"}