Salin die namhaffte Statt in Burgund nach ihrer Figur und Gelegenheit abgemalet [Salins, France]

An idyllic look at the French commune of Salins.

This interesting woodcut view shows the historic commune of Salins-les-Bains, located in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region in Eastern France. The image was published in the second half of the 16th century, originally as part of a German edition of Sebastian Munster’s Cosmographia. The fortified town and surrounding area are shown in some detail, with topography and various features depicted pictorially. A handful of structures are labeled, including the Church of St. Michael, Fort Belin, and Guion. The first two can still be seen today, but I was unable to find a reference to the third location online. Also of interest, but not shown within the image, are the extensive saltworks that gave the city its name, dating to the Roman era.

Sebastian Munster’s Cosmographia, first published in 1544 and re-issued in numerous editions, was a revolutionary resource for understanding the world in the 16th century. Originally composed in Latin, Cosmographia covers a wide range of topics, including detailed descriptions of continents, countries, and cities, as well as information on the customs, religions, and cultures of various peoples. The work is notable for its rich collection of maps, woodcuts, and illustrations, which offer a visual representation of the geographical knowledge and artistic style of the Renaissance period. Munster drew upon a variety of sources, including classical texts, contemporary travel accounts, and reports from explorers, to compile a work that sought to educate and inform readers about the totality of the known world.