In 1659, the famous mapmaker Joan Blaeu published his world atlas Tooneel des Aardrycks [Display of the Realm of Earth]. The archives in Leiden have made their atlas available online.
This week we are looking at his map of Overijssel. It shows the IJssel river on the west, which connected the to the North Sea in the north and the Rhine river in the south, bringing prosperity to the area. The area of Twente in the east shows different cities, including Oldenzaal (“Oldenzeel” on the map), where I grew up. The map shows the rivers and roads that connected the different towns. See also the research guide for Overijssel.
Map of Overijssel, 1659. Credits: Joan Blaeu, imaged at Erfgoed Leiden (public domain)
About Yvette Hoitink
