Map Makers of the Medieval Era

Map Makers of the Medieval Era

by poonam bisht



There are many medieval map makers , who have contributed a great deal in the field of map making. Some well known medieval map makers of the world are Hartmann Schedel, Johannes Ruysch and Piri Reis.

Hartmann Schedel was a German historian, humanist and physician who was also a skilled map maker. He used the printing press in cartography. The Nuremberg Chronicle produced by him was his most ambitious project in the world of maps. It includes a world map, quite a few city maps and a map representing central and northern Europe.




Johannes Ruisch is another leading medieval map maker of the world. He created a map representing the entire world. It is the second oldest printed map depicting the New World. Johannes used Ptolemy’s first projection to create this map.


Piri Reis or Hadji Muhammad is another medieval map maker of global acclaim. His full name is Hadji Muhiddin Piri Ibn Hadji Mehmed. Piri Reis prepared a number of charts and maps, which have been compiled in a book called Kitab-i Bahrieh.

The names of some other renowned map makers of the medieval era are Fra Mauro, Johannes Werner, Philipp Apian, Willem Janszoon Blaeu and Peter Apian.

Abraham Ortelius

Abraham Ortelius was also known as Abraham Ortels. He was born on April 2, 1527 in Antwerp. He was a well – known geographer and cartographer. Abraham Ortelius the cartographer is…

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Amerigo Vespucci

Amerigo Vespucci is the undisputed leader among the medieval map makers in the world. He is well known as the man after whom America was named. Amerigo Vespucci was born in…

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Andreas Cellarius

Andreas Cellarius is the producer of the Atlas Coelestis seu Harmonia Macrocosmica, which is the most detailed and beautiful celestial atlas of the 17th century. This makes him one of the greatest…

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Beatus Mappa Mundi

Beatus Mappa Mundi (730 A.D. – 798 A.D.) was born in Liebana. Beatus of Liebana was a Spanish theologian and monk, who shared same opinion with Alcuin. Beatus Mappa Mundi also…

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Benedetto Bordone

A man of many talents, Benedetto Bordone of Italy was adept in map making. His map making skills were instrumental in establishing him as a leading map maker of his time. Born…

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Christopher Saxton

Christopher Saxton is one of the celebrated map makers of the world who was born in Dunningley. In his early life he gained inspiration for map making from John Rudd, a…

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Diego Ribero

Diego Ribero was also known by the name of Diego Ribeiro, Diego de Ribero and Diego Ribeira. He was a famous Spanish cartographer as well as an explorer. Cartographer Diego Ribero had a…

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Diogo Homem

Diogo Homem, a well known Portuguese cartographer was born in the year 1520 and lived till 1576. His father Lopo Man was also a famous XVI century Portuguese cartographer. Diogo…

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