Cartographia. Map Treasures of the National Library of Malta. Description of a splendid collection of 950 maps and views of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries at the National Library of Malta.

Description

80pp., paperback, coloured covers with texts and numerous coloured photos and illustrations. REFERENCE. ISBN: 978-9918-619-85-6. English text.

An outstanding exhibition of maps organised by Malta Map Society in collaboration with the National Library of Malta on the occasion of the 41st IMCoS Malta International Symposium titled Imago Melitæ 2024 held in Malta from 16-19 October 2024. The exhibition includes several treasures from the national collection, some being shown for the first time, demonstrating the cartographic richness on the holdings in the National Library.

The present catalogue is accompanied by an updated edition of the study entitled ‘ Description of a splendid collection of 950 maps and views of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries at the National Library of Malta’ by Albert Ganado to show that there are even more treasures in the Maltese National Collection which could not be exhibited.

Cartographia: Map Treasures of the National Library of Malta, at the National Library, includes the oldest known map by a Maltese cartographer, Giovanni Miriti, dating back to 1590. Other exhibits include a stunning world map by Gozitan scientist Antonio Saliba, a philosopher versed in mathematics, astronomy and astrology and a contemporary of Galileo Galilei, and maps depicting the Great Siege of 1565. Astonishingly, this is the “most cartographically represented event in the world”, says Joseph Schirò, president of the Malta Map Society.