MÜNSTER, S. - Constantinopel des Griechischen Keijserthumbs Hauptstatt

Detailed town view of the Golden Horn of Constantinople. The city plan depicts the markets, homes, palaces and churches, including the famous Hagia Sophia, shown prior to the addition of the last two minarets in the late 16th century. On the Bosphorus Strait can be seen dozens of large ships sailing out to sea. Very appealing medieval view with German text below and on verso.
From a German text edition of S. Münster's Cosmographia, which is a short and complete summary of Renaissance knowledge.
Perched between East and West, ancient Constantinople was an essential stop for merchants from both sides of the world. Today, renamed Istanbul, this historic city was also the gateway to the Silk Road.
From Istanbul sprang the commercial routes that reached China, and the city was an epicenter of commerce, exchange, and multiculturalism.