San Sebastian | Spain | Nautical Chart | 1788 | Vintage Print

This reproduction of a finely engraved nautical chart depicts the bay, harbor, and city of San Sebastián on the northern coast of Spain. The city, which serves as the capital of the province of Gipuzkoa, is situated in a strategically important location on the Bay of Biscay. The depiction is based on precise survey data and combines nautical information with a meticulous rendering of the coastal landscape. The coastline is shown at the top edge of the map, while the fortified city can be seen on the left. The bay, distinguished by numerous navigational details, occupies the largest part of the map.
In the upper left area of the title field, the bay, harbor, and city are mentioned, as well as their function as the capital of the province. At the same time, reference is made to the history of the map's creation: it is based on the Spanish survey by Vicente Tofiño de San Miguel from 1789 and was published in 1793 by the French Dépôt Général de la Marine. A legend explains the symbols and units of measurement used, while the scale bar at the bottom indicates distances in French nautical miles.
The city map reveals an orderly street network within powerful fortifications featuring bastions and defensive walls. This depiction illustrates the significant military relevance of San Sebastián. Furthermore, the surrounding hills, cliffs, and coastal formations are rendered with a high level of detail. The Isla de Santa Clara is clearly highlighted as a prominent landmark in the bay.
For shipping, the numerous depth notations as well as the marked anchorages, sandbanks, and rocks were of great value, as they enabled safe navigation. In the center of the bay is an elaborately designed compass rose, from which orientation lines extend, forming the cartographic center of the map.
The combination of precise hydrographic data, detailed topography, and high-quality copperplate engraving makes this nautical chart a significant example of late 18th-century nautical cartography.

Historical maps show signs of time and use, the intensity and nature of which vary depending on the map and its intended purpose. The print offered is a reproduction.

You can order the print in the specified formats.
All maps are delivered unframed and well-protected. If a framed version is listed with the product dimensions and prices, you can also order it framed.

We strive to represent the colors as accurately as possible. However, due to different monitor and device settings (brightness, contrast, saturation), slight color variations may occur between the screen display and the print.