Map of Verona

Onofrio Panvinio, Antiquitatum Veronensium libri octo (Padua, 1647), 23.5 in x 19.75 in

Early modern scholars were interested in the physical layout of cities, especially of cities like Rome and Verona that traced their history to Roman antiquity. This interest carried over into various fields of studies, such as topography, geography, and hydrology. An important manifestation of these scholarly developments was the increased production of maps in the sixteenth century.

Panvinio’s map of Verona features both ancient and modern structures. We are immediately drawn to the center of the image, where the amphitheater is located (see detail below). Its central placement alludes to the great civic and historical pride placed on this monument. Verona’s river speaks to Panvinio’s interest in hydrology and topography, while the city’s medieval churches and military fortifications remind us of the more recent history of this city (see detail below). The inclusion of old and new buildings on this map speaks to the interplay between past and present that scholars such as Panvinio sought to elucidate.