Damascus Urbs Nobilissima Ad Libanum Totius Syriae Metropolis.

Georg Braun ( 1541-1622) anf Frans Hogenberg ( 1535-1590) were co-publishers of the monumental Civitates Orbis Terrarum, “ the earliest systematic city atlas” ( Koeman), published from 1572 onwards. Designed as a companion to Ortelius’ world atlas the Theatrum, this enormous work, which was expanded to incorporate over 500 plans and views, must be viewed as one of the most ambitious book producing ventures of all time, and certainly, with Ortilius’ Theatrum and Blaeu’s Atlas Maior among the greates achievements in the history of cartography.
Braun who was a Canon of Cologne cathederal, compiled the accompanying text, printed on the reverse. The plans were engraved by Hogenberg, who had also prepared the maps for Ortelius’ Theatrum. Hogenberg used generall up-to-date and accurate maps, surveys and reports to compile this collection of plans and “ bird’s eye” views of all the amjor towns of Europe, and a smaller number of towns outside Europe. Bachmann 582.