Mapping Rome

---

Antonio Tempesta, 1593

---

Antonio Tempesta, Map of Rome, 1645

The Florentine engraver Antonio Tempesta (1555-1630), also known as il Tempestino, published his map of Rome in 1593.

​An updated edition of the map, which measures 105 by 240 cm, was later published (1645) by Giovanni Domenico de Rossi and dedicated to Cardinal Camillo Pamphili. 

---

Giovanni Battista Falda, 1676

---

Map by Giovanni Battista Falda, 1676

Giovanni Battista Falda published his map of Rome in 1676. The map is composed of twelve plates. Once assembled, the complete map measures 1.5 metres by 1.5 metres.

In translation, the title reads: 'New plan and elevation of the city of Rome, with all of the streets, piazzas, and churches, palaces, gardens and other buildings ancient and modern as are found at the present time during the pontificate of Pope Innocent XI with their proper names and a most copious index, designed and engraved by Gio. Battista Falda of Valduggia and given to the public by Gio. Giacomo De Rossi from his press in the year 1676 with the privilege of the supreme pontiff.'

In the upper left corner is a personification of the Roman Church, seated in the clouds, her right hand resting on a temple. In her left hand she holds the keys of St Peter. Justice, with fasces and scales, turns towards her and presents the tiara and coat of arms of Pope Innocent XI (r. 1676-89), to whom the map is dedicated.

Despite the dedication, the map was actually conceived and created during the pontificate of his predecessor, Pope Clement X, who died on July 22nd.  Innocent XI (born Benedetto Odescalchi) was elected pope almost exactly two months later, on September 2Ist. 

Detail of the Map by Falda

---

Giambattista Nolli, 1748

---

The Nolli Map of Rome, 1748

---

The Great Plan of Rome (La Pianta Grande di Rome), 1748, by the architect and surveyor Giambattista Nolli is regarded by scholars and cartographers alike as one of the greatest maps ever made. 

A Detail of the Nolli Map of Rome

The Great Plan of Rome, better known as the Nolli Map of Rome, is made up of 12 exquisite copper-plate engravings, which in total measure 176 cm by 208 cm (5' 9" by 6' 10"). It depicts the Eternal City in astonishing detail. ​

The Dedication to Pope Benedict XIV

Nolli dedicated his map to Pope Benedict XIV (r. 1740-58). 

Plaque to Giambattista Nolli

Giambattista Nolli is interred in the church of Santa Dorotea, which he remodelled. A plaque proclaims: D · O · M / IOANNES BAPTISTA NOLLI / NOVOCOMENSIS / GEOMETRA ET ARCHITECTVS / NOVISSIMA VRBIS ICHNOGRAPHIA / ET TEMPLI HVIVS DESSIGNATIONE / IN PRIMIS NOBILIS / HIC SITVS EST / OBIIT · V · NON · IVL · AN · MDCCLVI (To God the best and the greatest. Here lies Giovanni Battista Nolli of Como, surveyor and architect, known above all for the very new map of the city and for the plan of this church. He died on the fifth day before the nones of July 1758).

​In ancient Rome the nones fell on the seventh day of July, so, taking into account the Roman inclusive system of counting, that corresponds to July 3rd. 

---