Heidelberg, Speyer and Worms Germany: Braun & Hogenberg Antique Map
This is a triple city view from Braun and Hogenberg’s Civitates Orbis Terrarum, presenting panoramic views of Heidelberg, Speyer (Spira), and Worms (Wormatia) — three prominent cities along the Rhine River in Germany. These views are arranged in three horizontal bands, each capturing a different city in detailed bird’s-eye or panoramic perspective.
Date of Publication: Between 1572 and 1617
Engraver: Frans Hogenberg
Braun & Hogenberg’s Civitates Orbis Terrarum (“Cities of the World”) is a monumental six-volume atlas of urban topography compiled between 1572 and 1617. Conceived as a companion to Ortelius’s Theatrum Orbis Terrarum, it was the first comprehensive printed collection of city views and maps ever produced. The work provides a rich visual record of over 500 cities from across Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas during the late Renaissance, featuring detailed bird’s-eye views, cartouches, and depictions of local inhabitants, architecture, and dress. It reflects not only geographical interest but also the growing civic pride and commercial importance of cities in the early modern period.
Georg Braun (1541–1622), a cleric and scholar from Cologne, served as the principal editor and driving force behind the Civitates. He compiled texts for the city descriptions and coordinated contributions from a wide network of cartographers and artists. His aim was both didactic and celebratory: to showcase the beauty and significance of cities around the known world.
Frans Hogenberg (c. 1535–1590), a Flemish engraver and mapmaker, was responsible for many of the atlas’s intricate engravings. He had previously collaborated with Abraham Ortelius and brought both technical skill and artistic flair to the project. Hogenberg’s meticulous visual style was essential in defining the distinctive look of the Civitates plates.
Together, Braun and Hogenberg created a work that remains an invaluable source for historians, urban scholars, and collectors today.
Top Panel: HEIDELBERG (HEIDELBERGA)
The city of Heidelberg is presented as a densely built riverside town, bisected by the Neckar River. The famous stone bridge, known as the Old Bridge (Alte Brücke), crosses the river, connecting the two parts of the city. Prominent is the Heidelberg Castle (Heidelberger Schloss) towering on the hillside in the background, symbolizing the city’s significance as the residence of the Electors Palatine. The richly wooded hills and terraced vineyards indicate the fertility of the region. Inset text (top right) describes Heidelberg as a renowned university city and seat of the Palatine electors, emphasizing its importance both politically and as a center of learning.
Middle Panel: SPEYER (SPIRA)
Speyer, also known as Spira, is depicted as a walled city dominated by its monumental Romanesque cathedral, one of the largest and most significant in Europe. The imperial cathedral (Kaiserdom) is prominently centered, rising above the city walls, with its four massive towers and octagonal dome. The Rhine River winds nearby, with boats and figures visible, highlighting the city’s position as an important river port and imperial city. Inset text (left) praises Speyer as an ancient and illustrious episcopal seat and former imperial residence, noting its role in the governance of the Holy Roman Empire.
Lower Panel: WORMS (WORMATIA)
Worms is shown in a detailed and sprawling view, with its many churches, monasteries, and the imperial cathedral (Dom St. Peter) dominating the skyline. The city walls, towers, and gates are carefully illustrated, alongside the Rhine River, which bends dramatically in front of the city. Notable is the detailed labelling of key buildings and landmarks, with inscriptions across the skyline. The inset text (lower right) highlights Worms as an imperial free city and ancient bishopric, associated with legends such as the Nibelungenlied and celebrated as a seat of justice, particularly during the time of the Diet of Worms.
Below: View of Full sheet.
Full literal translation of the Latin text above
HEIDELBERG
Heidelberg, located along the Neckar River, is the seat of the most illustrious princes, the Counts Palatine of the Rhine. According to Ptolemy, it is thought to have been called Bodoris. Some believe it to have been a colony of the Budores, a people dwelling there in ancient times, and they connect this through many indications. The Germans call it Heiden, meaning heathen people, or according to Franciscus Irenicus, from the Vangiones, an ancient Germanic tribe; or else in Teutonic, Heidelber, meaning multitude.
Once under the rule of the Vangiones, it was known as Heidelberg, and now is rich in all kinds of goods, fine wine, grain, fruit trees, and cattle. It is adorned with a flourishing university, founded by Rupert, Elector Palatine, in the year 1386, and enriched with many privileges.
On the highest hill stands the castle, once a monastery of the Saints, later turned into a fortress, famed for its antiquity and grandeur. The town was once called Ettelburg, a corrupted name given by those ignorant of the German language. Franciscus Irenicus refers to this in his writings (Book 7).
In the year 1576, on the 26th of October, Frederick, Count Palatine of the Rhine, Elector, died at Heidelberg, between the third and fourth hour after dinner, in the theater of the world, as he had lived.
SPEYER
Spira, now called Speyer, is believed to have its name from an ancient city called Spira, which gained prominence through Rudiger, Bishop of Speyer, from the Sper family, who expanded the town of Nemetes, building it beyond its old walls and adding suburbs and other structures. The place was elevated under Emperor Conrad II, who favored the city and enriched it with many privileges. During his time, the imperial cathedral (Speyer Cathedral) was begun, which still stands today as one of the most conspicuous and famous churches in Germany, also serving as the burial place of German emperors.
Conrad II himself, along with many other emperors, is buried there. The cathedral was magnificently built with great expense and effort. Near the city is Limburg, a monastery built at the emperor’s command. Under Emperor Charles V, a public imperial assembly (Diet) was held here, which was attended by the emperor, electors, and other princes and counselors.
The agricultural land around Speyer is fertile and produces excellent red wine, locally known as Anserum, and other fruits and grains. The city is particularly celebrated for the Olivean School, situated nearby, and for its magnificent cathedral church, which is among the most beautiful basilicas.
WORMS
Worms, on the Rhine River, is a very ancient city of the Vangiones, according to tradition, and was subject to the Treveri, to whom tribute was paid. Then the Romans took control and made it into a colony, giving it to the Claudian family, from which it gained the name Colonia Vangionum.
Clodoveus (Clovis), King of the Franks, captured it and made it a royal city, which served as a seat of the kings of Gaul, and he built a royal palace there. The city’s council court (curia) was established by Charlemagne, who held court here and conducted his imperial business.
Later, in the year 1029, during the time of Worms’ archbishopric, the archbishopric was transferred to Mainz, and the bishops of Worms were given German lands and territories.
The city held many famous councils and assemblies, including the Diet of Worms, and its archives contain numerous important documents, as well as the writings of Franciscus Irenicus.