Germany, Rhine, Boppard, Oberwesel Braun & Hogenberg, 1590, Ober Wesell - Boppart

16th century large copper engraving with an overall view of Oberwesel and Boppard, each with the Rhine in the foreground:

OBERWESEL

TRANSLATION OF CARTOON TEXT: Exact drawing of the town of Vosavia or Ficelia on the Rhine, which is called Oberwesel in German.

COMMENT BY BRAUN (on the back): "Oberwesel is located on the left bank of the Rhine and was formerly under the direct rule of the Holy Roman Emperor, after previously being under the jurisdiction of the Burgraves of Schönburg. [...] At present Oberwesel is still under the rule of the Archbishop of Trier."

This is a view of Oberwesel across the Rhine in a southwesterly direction. The town is built on a hill and the most striking building is the 14th century Gothic Church of Our Lady on the outskirts of town. Above it on the left is Schönburg Castle, which was extended around 1300 and is dominated by the Barbarossa Tower. The unfinished Romanesque tower of St. Martin can be seen in the light of the setting sun. The walls from the 13th-15th centuries provide space for a later expansion of the town. The towpath runs alongside the Rhine, on which horses pull boats up the river. The imperial eagles in the town's coat of arms indicate the status as a former Free Imperial City, which Oberwesel held in the 13th/14th centuries before it passed to the Archbishopric of Trier.

BOPPARD

TRANSLATION OF THE CARTOON TEXT: The very pleasant location of the town of Bodobriga, which is now called Boppard, on the banks of the Rhine.

COMMENTARY BY BRAUN (verso): "Drusus built over 50 castles and towns on the banks of the Rhine, including Boppard. According to many scholars, this is evidenced by the very old square buildings and the round defensive structures in the walls, which are, however, no higher than the walls, without towers and flattened at the top."

This view of the well-fortified town of Boppard looks south from the right bank of the Rhine with the Hunsrück foothills in the background. The walls were built in the 12th/13th century and replaced part of the Roman fortifications. The late Romanesque church of St. Severus with its two towers rises up from the densely packed houses of the town. To the right of it stands the late Gothic collegiate church, recognizable by its narrow tower. Founded in the 1st century BC as the Roman fortress of Bodobriga and rebuilt in the 4th century AD, Boppard today has the best-preserved Roman fortifications in Germany. A free imperial city in the 13th century, Boppard came under the control of the Electorate of Trier in 1306, whose powerful prince-bishop Baldwin had a fortress built around 1340, which can be seen on the far left in the background between the customs wall and the city wall. (Taschen)

From: Liber quartus Urbium Praecipuarum totius Mundi. Cologne, 1588-97. (Koeman, B&H4, Van der Krogt 4, 41:1.4)

Very good condition. Original coloring. A very good version of this map, suitable for framing.

Image 32x43cm, sheet 39.5x51.5cm