16th century prospect of Lucca in fine contemporary colouring

Early 'map-view' of the town of Lucca in Tuscany, published in the 'Civitates Orbis Terrarum', the first series of printed town plans. Looking almost due north, this view of Lucca is depicted from a vantage point directly above the city. The exacting perspective creates some optical distortions in the representation of the buildings. About 20 km northeast of Pisa, Lucca was founded by the Etruscans. During the Middle Ages it was much fought over but from the second half of the 14th century it managed to preserve its independence until the First French Republic.