The Carta Pisana: the nautical chart that revolutionized medieval cartography
The Carta Pisana, or Carte Pisane, considered the oldest Western nautical chart, is a fundamental milestone in the history of cartography. Designed at the end of the 13th century, it offers a detailed representation of the Mediterranean basin and the maritime routes of the time. Now preserved in the Department of Maps and Plans of the french National Library, it is possible to consult it in high definition by visiting this link.
The Carta Pisana, an origin rooted in Mediterranean History
Discovered in the 19th century in Pisa, the Carta Pisana takes its name from this city, although it is probably of Genoese origin. The first traces of Genoese cartographers date from this period, and the style of this antique nautical chart perfectly matches their know-how.
This map predates 1291, as evidenced by the presence of the Maltese Cross located near Saint-Jean-d'Acre, a territory still held by the crusaders at the time. Its main purpose was to serve as a navigation guide for merchants and navigators crisscrossing the Mediterranean, in the same way that the Peutinger Table, almost a millennium earlier, served as a guide on land.
Technical Characteristics of the Carta Pisana
The Carta Pisana is distinguished by cartographic innovations that were unprecedented for the time.
A precise navigation tool
The map is gridded, crossed by rhumb lines (or wind lines) radiating from several points. These lines facilitate navigation by allowing sailors to trace straight routes following constant directions. Also, the Carta Pisana presents an alternation of red and black for the ports distinguishing those of major importance from secondary ports.
Detail of the Carta Pisana, the French coast and Corsica
A detailed representation of the Mediterranean coasts
The coastline is remarkably accurate. Each promontory, bay or island is meticulously depicted. For example, the Italian coastline, shows an exceptional mastery of geographical proportions.
Strategic areas highlighted
Key regions of the Mediterranean, such as the Aegean Sea basin, appear in dense detail. This basin was a key area for trade and navigation under Byzantine rule.
Detail of the Pisan Map: the Aegean Sea
The Carta Pisana: a revolutionary map in the medieval world
Dating from around the same time as the Hereford World Map, the Carta Pisana marked a turning point in cartography, moving away from simple religious or political representations of the world to a focus on practical functionality. This radical change is summed up by historian Toby Lester, who calls its appearance a "bolt from the blue" revealing a new kind of world, of previously unmatched precision.
Unlike medieval world maps, it does not focus on symbolic or mythical elements, but rather on a factual representation of maritime routes. It is a real map at the service of navigators.
The Lasting Influence of the Carta Pisana
The Carta Pisana paved the way for portolans, the antique nautical charts that dominated cartography until the 17th century. These maps, largely inspired by the Carta Pisana, use its rhumb lines and precise grid.
It is also a testimony to a time when maritime trade was at the heart of the prosperity of major Italian cities such as Genoa, Pisa and Venice. Its role as an antique map of Italy and its maritime zones thus contributed to the structuring of the trade routes of the time.
Conclusion: The Carta Pisana, a treasure of medieval cartography
The Carta Pisana, a genuine antique nautical chart, is much more than a simple cartographic document: it reflects the advanced nautical knowledge of the 13th and 14th centuries. Thanks to its rhumb lines, its grids and its precise indications of the coasts, it allowed navigators to cross the Mediterranean with increased safety.
It remains an inspiration to historians and cartographers today, and a fascinating reminder of human ingenuity in the quest for discovery. Whether for its technical qualities or its historical importance, the Carta Pisana remains an inestimable treasure, embodying the legacy of medieval cartography and the art of navigation.
