Italy - Greece - Morea; Tommaso Porcacchi - «MOREA PENISOLA». - 1561-1580

# Historical Map of the Morea (Peloponnesus) – Tommaso Porcacchi

**Title:** *Descrittione della Morea*
**Cartographer:** Tommaso Porcacchi
**Copperplate Engraver:** Girolamo Porro
**Origin:** Venice, Italy
**Dating:** Allegedly 1572; the exact edition still needs to be verified.
**Work:** *L'Isole più famose del mondo*
**Region Represented:** Morea, the historical Italian designation for the Greek peninsula Peloponnesus.

## Description

Historical copperplate map of the Peloponnese from the cartographic tradition of the 16th century. The map shows the Morea peninsula with numerous historical place names, coastlines, mountain ranges, bays and islands. It is equipped with a decorative title cartouche and a compass rose.

The reverse side contains Italian text, as is typical for illustrated geographic works of this period.

## Dimensions and Condition

- **Map sheet:** approx. 19 × 26 cm
- **Map depiction:** approx. 11 × 14.5 cm
- **Condition:** Overall good, with minor damage.
- **Defects:** Small tear, small hole at the right edge and another hole at the bottom edge.
- **Back:** Italian text.

## Historical Place Names

The map contains historical designations that partially survive today or correspond to present-day places and regions:

- **Patras** – Patras
- **Corinto / Corintho** – Corinth
- **Napoli di Romania** – Nafplio
- **Modon** – Methoni
- **Coron** – Koroni
- **Malvasia** – Monemvasia
- **Laconia** – Lakonia
- **Achaia** – Achaia
- **Argos** – Argos
- **Morea** – Peloponnesus

The historical spellings reflect the Italian and Western European geographical tradition of the 16th century.

## Authenticity Notes

The design and the reverse side Italian description are consistent with the well-known Porcacchi map type. The authenticity of the specific sheet and the dating to 1572 have not yet been conclusively confirmed based on the available photographs.

A precise determination requires comparison of the reverse text page, the pagination, the sheet dimensions, and the printing features with bibliographically documented copies.

**Conclusion:** An interesting historical map of the Peloponnese with collector potential. Before a final assessment, it should be clarified in particular whether the exemplar indeed originates from the 1572 edition or from a later issue.