1604 Villalpando Plan of Jerusalem

This is Juan Batista Villalpando's large 1604 map of Jerusalem. This attractive and influential plan of the Holy City appeared in his commentary on Ezekiel, published to complete the work of Hieronymus Prado. Villalpando's architectural interpretation of scripture influenced the design of monasteries, churches, and synagogues well into the 17th century.

A Closer Look

The plan, oriented to the west, is based on Villalpando's reading of the Book of Ezekiel and reinforced by the first-century histories of Flavius Josephus. Villalpando added his expertise as a geometer and architect, proposing that Jerusalem and its buildings were constructed based on geometrical laws, thus following divine order. Principle elements include the Temple of Solomon, bottom center, the City of David, upper left, and the historic city wall. Outside the city walls are the encampment of Titus and Pompey, as well as other camps and Biblical monuments. The structure of Solomon's Temple, including the nine square courtyards, are based on Villalpando's interpretation of Ezekiel's prophecy of a Third Holy Temple.

As beautiful and evocative as they were, Villalpando's imaginative illustrations (including this one) ran afoul of the Inquisition, which considered them misinterpretations of scripture. He was, in the end, found innocent of heresy, and his depictions of Jerusalem and the Temple of Solomon had a long-standing influence on the design of monasteries, churches, and even synagogues.

Publication History and Census

This plan was engraved to two plates and printed to two sheets, joined for publication: it was included in the Prado and Villalpando Explanationes in Ezechielis et apparatus Urbis ac temple Hierosolymitani, printed in Rome in 1604. The book is well represented in institutional collections, but we see only three examples of this plan listed separately.