This antique map, titled ‘Magni Dvcatvs Lithvaniae…’ and created in 1665, depicts the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. The title translates to ‘Great Duchy of Lithuania’ in English.
In the early 17th Century, Belarus was a part of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, which was a powerful state in Eastern Europe. The region was known for its vast forests, fertile soils, and numerous rivers. Belarus was bordered by Latvia to the north, Poland to the west, Ukraine to the south, and the Russian Empire to the east. The region was home to many towns and cities, including Kyiv, Warsaw, and Minsk, which was the capital of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. The map likely shows the various territories and borders within the Grand Duchy of Lithuania during this time period.