1766 Isaak Tirion Map of Cartagena, Colombia

This is a c. 1766 Isaak Tirion map of Cartagena, Colombia, one of the most important port cities in the vast Spanish American Empire. Several locations within the city are numerically identified, with the corresponding index located in the upper-left corner, just below the title. Monasteries, churches, gardens, hospitals, forts, and defensive batteries are among the illustrated locations. The St. Lazarus Castle, located outside the city, and its nearby hospital, are the only buildings identified which are not included in the numerical index.

Historical ContextCartagena sits on the northern coast of South America, on the Caribbean. This allowed the city to become the prime point of export for Peruvian silver mined from Potosí. Cartagena's status as one of the jewels of the Spanish Empire also painted it as a worthy target for raiders and pirates. Numerous attackers fell upon the city, and it was destroyed or held for ransom several times. Following each attack, the city's defenses would be improved, including the building of the walls and batteries evident on this map. This work by Isaak Tirion dates from the city's 'silver age' when it was the capital of the Viceroyalty of New Granada. This was a time of permanent expansion in Cartagena, with a massive influx of immigrants from the rest of the Viceroyalty and a massive increase in both economic and political power. The aristocracy descending on the city constructed estates, established libraries, and opened printing establishments. This prosperity lasted from 1750 until 1808, when the Mutiny of Aranjuez threw the entire Spanish Empire into crisis.

Per Kip S. Kapp

In the days of discovery and colonisation, the most heavily fortified port in the New World was Cartagena. This historic city was used as a haven for the galleons laden with the riches of the Andes bound for Spain. Each year, Cartagena de Indias played host to the Plate Fleet and stubbornly defied the haunting pirates that plagued the coast. Skilled artisans were brought over from Sevilla to layout towns and design churches and homes of distinction; in consequence, some of the finest examples of colonial architecture are still to be found amid the narrow streets of this old, walled city. Cartagena was under constant threat from the pirates and privateers who roamed the Caribbean in past centuries and, for protection, elaborate fortresses were built to line the harbour and its approaches. (Kapp, K.S., The Early Maps of Colombia up to 1850, The Map Collectors' Circle, no. 77, 1971)

Publication History and Census

This map was created by Isaak Tirion and published c. 1766. We note a single cataloged example, which is part of the collection at the Bibliothèque nationale de France.