GEORG BRAUN & FRANS HOGENBERG, Traiectum (Utrecht), 1572 or later.

GEORG BRAUN & FRANS HOGENBERG
Traiectum ad Mosam
Cologne: Frans Hogenberg, 1572 or later
Copperplate engraving with original hand-color
Paper size: 15 3/4" x 20 1/2"

Bird's-eye view plan of Maastricht, by Georg Braun and Frans Hogenberg.

Oud plan van Maastricht in vogelperspectief, door Georg Braun en Frans Hogenberg.

COMMENTARY BY BRAUN: "Turning proudly to our age, our founder and the name of our patron saint, we must point out that we were founded around the year 78 BC and that we owe our origins to Julius Caesar and our name [Lat. Traiectum ad Mosam, "Meuse crossing"] to the fact that the River Meuse can be crossed here [...] and that we also owe much to St Servatus, the first to hold the office of bishop in this city."

Maastricht is presented in a topographically accurate bird's-eye view from the south that affords a clear view of the city centre. Rising on Vrijthof square is the dominant complex of Sint-Servaas, in front of which - seen here in a distorted perspective - is the church of Sint-Jan.