Georg Braun and Frans Hogenberg – Algiers, 1574 Antique world maps HQ

This is a 16th-century engraving depicting the city of Algiers, North Africa. The map is highly detailed, showcasing the citys fortifications, densely packed buildings with red roofs, mosques, and a bustling harbor filled with sailing ships. The surrounding landscape is also illustrated, with hills, olive groves, and a prominent fortress overlooking the city from the west.

Subtexts:

• Geopolitical Context: Created in 1574, this map reflects the strategic importance of Algiers as a port city and a stronghold of the Ottoman Empire in the Mediterranean. The title and Latin inscriptions suggest this was intended for a European audience, likely interested in the regions military and commercial significance. The inscription ALGERII Saracenorum urbis fortil... (Algiers, fortress of the Saracen city...) immediately frames the perception of the city as an other within a Christian European context.
• Cartographic Representation: The map is a blend of accuracy and artistic convention. While it aims to represent the citys layout, the elevated perspective and decorative elements are common in early cartography. The inclusion of a compass rose and a detailed legend (though partially obscured in this view) signifies a desire for scientific representation and instruction. The legend likely identifies key landmarks, fortifications, and possibly important administrative or religious buildings.
• Cultural Exchange and Conflict: The presence of a figure in exotic attire in the foreground, looking out towards the sea, could symbolize the encounter between different cultures and worlds. Algiers was a key player in the Barbary slave trade and a base for piracy, which would have been a significant, albeit unstated, subtext for European viewers. Conversely, the depiction of the powerful fortifications and the Ottoman flags hints at the citys strength and resistance against potential incursions, such as the Spanish attempts to conquer it.
• Propaganda or Information: Maps like these often served multiple purposes. They could be purely informational, intended for trade or navigation, or they could carry a subtle message, either celebrating the power of a particular empire (in this case, the Ottoman Empire, by showcasing its fortified city) or highlighting its perceived threat to Christendom. The detailed rendering of the defenses suggests an emphasis on the citys impregnability.