Praga, Bohemiae Metropolis Accuratissime Expressa [and] Egra urbs a Flumio…

Stunning 16th century views of Prague and Egra, from the influential Civitates Orbis Terrarum

These striking dual panoramic views feature the Bohemian capital of Prague (top) and the fortified frontier town of Cheb, or Egra (bottom). The plate was published in Cologne around 1572 as part of the inaugural volume of Georg Braun and Frans Hogenberg’s Civitates Orbis Terrarum – the first systematic city atlas ever produced.

The upper image provides a masterful perspective of Prague from the southeast, showcasing its dramatic natural setting within the Vltava Valley. The river, teeming with barges and ferries, bisects the city and is spanned by the iconic Charles Bridge, which is flanked by massive medieval gate towers. Looming over the Lesser Town on the opposite bank are the Prague Castle (the ancestral seat of the Habsburg Emperor) and the spires of St. Vitus Cathedral, which dominate the skyline.

The lower image presents a detailed view of Egra (modern-day Cheb) situated along the banks of the River Ohře (Eger). Positioned at the Kingdom’s western frontier, the city’s formidable concentric walls and bastions provided a critical defense for the Bohemian interior, guarding against incursions from rival German princes and the enduring spectre of the Ottoman Empire.