Georg Braun & Frans Hogenberg: Catana Urbs Siciliae Clarissima Patria Scte Agathae Virginis et Mart

Braun & Hogenberg's view of Catania, from an early edition of Braun & Hogenberg's Civitatus Orbis Terrarum. Striking bird's-eye plan of Catania, showing the Eruption of Mount Etna, along with two coats of arms. The engraving offers a bird's-eye view from the south of the formerly well-fortified town of Catania with Mount Etna rising directly behind it. On the Piazza del Duomo (26), the cathedral of Sant'Agata lies opposite the town hall (3). Preserved within the town are a number of antique monuments, including the amphitheatre (15) incorporated into the city wall: originally able to hold up 15,000 spectators; it was almost as large as the Coliseum in Rome. To the left lies the church of Sant'Agata al Carcere (6), built in honour of the town's patron saint on the site where she was imprisoned before her death. The founding of Catania goes back to the 8th century AD, when it was settled by Greeks from the Island of Naxos. The town was entirely destroyed in 1669 following a massive eruption by Etna and in 1693 by a catastrophic earthquake. Black lava stone was used to rebuilt the town, which is why it is often described as Etna's "black daughter". Good condition, good copy Published: Braun, G. - Hogenberg, F.: Civitates Orbis Terrarum. 1572-1617