1858 H.F. Münster City Plan or Map of Venice, Italy

This is a c. 1858 H. F. Münster city plan or map of Venice, Italy, geared toward the Grand Tour set. The map is printed in German and Italian, reflecting the fact that Venice was, at the time, part of the Austrian Empire.

A Closer Look

Coverage embraces the primary Venetian islands with extended coverage of the Laguna Viva provided via a large inset. Larger buildings, mostly churches and palaces, are labeled numerically and keyed to a table surrounding the map. Squares and piazzas are identified by name, and gardens are highlighted green. Venice's 90 churches are yellow and numerically labeled, corresponding with an index along the bottom border. Other indexes identify civic buildings, the many barracks across the city, and Venice's 6 districts. An inset in the upper right situates Venice within the Venetian Lagoon and the immediate vicinity.

Venice and the Grand Tour

In the mid-19th century, Venice was a key destination on the European Grand Tour, a traditional journey undertaken by wealthy young men, primarily from Britain and Germany, seeking cultural refinement and education. Venice, with its stunning canals, Gothic and Renaissance architecture, and rich artistic heritage, was a highlight of this journey. Travelers were captivated St. Mark's Basilica, the Doge's Palace, and the iconic Grand Canal, among other sites. The romantic allure of Venice, coupled with its historical associations with art, music, and literature, made it an essential stop for travelers looking to immerse themselves in Italy's artistic and cultural legacy. Many spent months in Venice, admiring the art, studying Italian, and connecting with other Grand Tour travelers from around Europe. By this time, the Grand Tour had become more accessible due to advancements in travel, with steamships and railways easing journeys, allowing more tourists to experience the city's unique blend of decay and beauty, further immortalized by writers like Lord Byron.

Publication History and Census

This map was created by Guglielmo (Wilhelm) Tempel, lithographed by Corradini, and published by H. F. Münster c. 1858. This is the only known cataloged example of the present edition. Two other editions were published, most trimmed to the border, excising all publication information except for Münster's imprint. The map does not appear to change between editions beyond the boxed text along the right border. In what we think is an earlier edition, this text promotes Münster's publications, including his subscription library. A later edition changes the last two entries in the list of barracks and adds a third. Variants may have been published as late as 1877.