Ancient map of Corfu, 1564

Ferrando Bertelli’s Vogliono alcuni che l'Isola di Corfù (1564) is a finely detailed early cartographic depiction of Corfu, one of the most strategically significant islands in the Mediterranean during the 16th century. As a Venetian engraver and publisher based in Venice, Bertelli was known for producing high-quality maps, city views, and battle plans, often reflecting the geopolitical importance of locations under Venetian rule.

By 1564, Corfu was an essential part of the Venetian Republic’s defensive network, protecting its maritime trade routes against the Ottoman Empire. The island, positioned at the entrance to the Adriatic Sea, was heavily fortified due to ongoing Ottoman-Venetian conflicts. Just a few decades earlier, in 1537, Corfu had been besieged by the Ottoman fleet under Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent, an event that further emphasized the island’s strategic value.

During this period, Venice commissioned detailed maps of its territories, both for military planning and administrative purposes. Bertelli’s map was likely intended for Venetian officials, merchants, and military strategists, providing an accurate representation of Corfu’s topography, fortifications, and settlements.

This map reflects the advanced cartographic techniques of 16th-century Venetian mapmakers, who combined artistic engraving with military precision. The level of detail suggests that it was used for both administrative governance and military planning, ensuring that Venetian forces could monitor and protect one of their most valuable overseas possessions.

Today, Vogliono alcuni che l'Isola di Corfù remains an important historical artifact, providing insights into Venetian cartography, Mediterranean geopolitics, and the island’s defensive significance during the Ottoman-Venetian conflicts. It is highly valued by historians, collectors, and scholars studying the cartographic heritage of the Renaissance and Venice’s maritime empire.

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