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The Ebstorf world map, a medieval treasure from Lower Saxony, fascinates with its wealth of detail. But the original is long lost.
Ebstorf – It is large, extremely detailed and has an impressive history: In Ebstorf in the Lüneburg Heath in Lower Saxony, a very special world map from the Middle Ages appeared in 1830. The Ebstorf world map is the most famous, the most comprehensive and by far the largest illustrated map from the Middle Ages that still exists
Ebstorf world map discovered in 1830 in a storage room in Lower Saxony
At most, the oldest family in the world, which also comes from Lower Saxony, could still know her. The original Ebstorf world map, the largest world map of the Middle Ages, is considered one of the most valuable treasures of the world Ebstorfer Klosters and all heath monasteries and can be visited as part of a guided tour. However, this is a true copy as the original was burned during the Second World War.
The largest world map of the Middle Ages, the Ebstorf world map, was created in Lower Saxony. A replica has been seen in museums. © Jens Schulze/Imago
The map, which was named after the place where it was found, the Benedictine monastery of Ebstorf in the Lüneburg Heath, was probably also created there. When the conventual Charlotte von Lassberg discovered it in a storage room in 1830, two sections had already been destroyed by mice, including the depiction of today’s Brandenburg. On a parchment area of 12.75 m² (3.5 x 3.5 m) and a total of 30 tanned goat skins, the cycling map shows the image of the world from around 1300 with the continents of Asia, Africa and Europe. It is depicted as a disk of earth surrounded by the ocean.
The largest world map of the Middle Ages: 1500 text entries on 30 goat skins
The filled area contains 1,500 text entries, 534 cities, 500 buildings, 160 bodies of water, 60 islands and mountains, 45 people and mythical creatures and around 60 animals. The circular surface of the earth is surrounded by the world ocean and the winds. The author did not intend to create a geographically accurate map of the world. For example, the city of Rome is almost as big as the island of Sicily. Rather, the map reflects the historical, mythological and theological knowledge of that time.
Opening times and prices of Ebstorf Monastery
Opening hours: April 1st – October 15th
Tuesday and Thursday 10 a.m., 2 p.m. and 3:30 p.m
Saturday, Sunday and church holidays, 2 p.m
Closed on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday
Opening times: October 16th – October 31st
Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday a guided tour at 2 p.m
Entrance fees
Pro Person: 6 Euro
Groups of 20 people or more: 5.50 euros
Pupils, students and unemployed people: 4.50 euros (4 euros in groups)
In 1830 it was found in a windowless, damp closet by a conventual of the Ebstorf monastery, Charlotte von Lassberg. The value of the card was quickly recognized. After a piece was deliberately cut out and stolen, the map was finally included in the map collection of the Historical Association for Lower Saxony. There she fell victim to the bombs of the World War in 1943.
Not only the largest world map of the Middle Ages, but also the current largest world map in the world can be found in Lower Saxony. In Emsland, the map is emblazoned on a 113 meter high cooling tower of a former power plant.