This antique map, created in 1665, is titled ‘Castellaniae Siue Baronat Bornhemii Accurata delineatio’, which translates to ‘Accurate delineation of the Castellania or Barony of Bornhem’.
Belgium in the early 17th century was a region of significant political and religious turmoil. It was under the control of the Spanish Habsburgs, who were Catholic, but many regions, including the central area depicted on this map, were predominantly Protestant. The map would have shown the landscape of this region, with its mix of farmland, forests, and small settlements. The area was an important economic hub, with many markets and fairs held throughout the year. The map would have been an essential tool for navigating the region and understanding the complex political and social landscape of the time.
