Hamatarats Ashkharhatsuyts - The World Map

In 1695 in Amsterdam, in the Armenian printing house founded by Tovmas Vanandetsi was published a unique work, the first printed map of the world Hamatarats Ashkharhatsuyts (Geographic Map of the World). The first large-scale map of the both hemispheres in Armenian was considered the best and one of the most reliable maps at the time. The world map was designed in the style of Western cartography. The best masters, the Schoonebeek brothers were hired to engrave the copper plates of the map. The map has eight sections, with the total dimensions of 150 x 120 cm. To prevent damage while folding, the separate pieces of the map were attached to a thin canvas. Each of four corners of the map depicts mythical, astrological and traditional symbols related to four seasons.