This website presents our knowledge and research on this important aspect of the Royal Collection. As of April 2026 it will not be regularly updated and new research on this topic will sit within the main website.

Other 18th-/19th-century conflicts

Maps, views and documents from 19 wars

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Map of Corfu, 1716 (Kérkyra, Ionian Islands, Greece) 39°37ʹ12ʺN 19°55ʹ11ʺE

1716 or later

Pen, ink and watercolour on paper | Scale: 1:39,700 approx. | RCIN 727002

A map of the movements of the Ottoman navy and army from 5 July to 22 August 1716 off Corfu, which was under Venetian rule, together with the inconclusive naval battle, fought on 8 July in the sea channel off Corfu (Notio Steno Kerkyras), and the siege of Corfu (19 July-22 August) by the Ottoman army, commanded by Canum Koca Mehmed Pasha (active 1684-1736), who was defeated by Field Marshal Johann Matthias von der Schulenberg (1661-1747), commanding the Austrian army as allies of Venice. Venetian-Turkish War (1714-18). Oriented with east to top (compass rose).

The map covers the coastline of Corfu from Madona di Casopo (Kassiópi 39°47ʹ19ʺN 19°55ʹ07ʺE) in the north to just south of the town of Corfu in the south. The Greek coastline is shown from south of Ksamil (not named on the map; 39°46ʹ08ʺN 19°59ʹ59ʺE) in the west to east of Porto Paganea (Paganiá 39°39ʹ50ʺN 20°06ʹ05ʺE) in the east. Lake Buttrinto is now part of the Butrint National Park in Albania.

Another manuscript example of this map, perhaps in a different hand, is in the Marburg Archiv: HstAM Karten WHK 17/3.

Additional text: [bottom left, in title cartouche, a key, A-I, K-T, V, X-Z, to the town of Corfu, the old and new fortresses, various other geographical locations, the great road made by the enemy [i.e. the Turks] large enough for two carosse [large horse-drawn vehicles] to pass each other, the length of two German miles [7.64 km or 4.75 miles] camps, trenches and batteries:] Renvoye [A note following the key reads:] NB. Campement des Ennemis pres de Buttrinto / que S.E. le Feldmareschal Comte de Schoulen / bourg prit le 2e de Settembre. [bottom right, in ornate cartouche, an explanation of the naval orders of battle of the Ottoman and Venetian navies, and a note on the fishing and hunting in and around Lake Buttrinto.]

Condition: six fold lines; formerly folded to 18.4 x 12.8 cm; offsetting of image caused by the map having been stored folded. Verso: heavy surface dirt on outer two fold panels; paper strip repair to central fold; pronounced induced discolouration.
  • Anonymous (cartographer) [(in the same hand as RCIN 727003)]

    Subject(s)

    Navy-Venetian Republic
    Navy-Ottoman Empire
  • Watermark: Fleur-de-lys suspending a ‘4’ and the initials WR; countermark: IV

    Mark, stamped: 156

    Condition: six fold lines; formerly folded to 18.4 x 12.8 cm; offsetting of image caused by the map having been stored folded. Verso: heavy surface dirt on outer two fold panels; paper strip repair to central fold; pronounced induced discolouration

  • Scale: 1:39,700 approx. Scale bar: Echelle de 4000 pas de Venise [175 mm = 4000].

    47.4 x 68.6 cm (neatline)

    48.6 x 69.8 cm (image)

    49.6 x 70.8 cm (sheet)

  • Printed title:

    PLAN / Du Siege de CORFU par Terre et par Mer avec les mouvements / des Infideles, le quel a commence le 5me de Juillet, jusqu’au 22me d’ / Aout que cette place a éte delivrée par la fuite de de l’Armée Ottomanne. [bottom left, in irregularly-shaped cartouche]

    Additional text:

    [bottom left, in title cartouche, a key, A-I, K-T, V, X-Z, to the town of Corfu, the old and new fortresses, various other geographical locations, the great road made by the enemy [i.e. the Turks] large enough for two carosse [large horse-drawn vehicles] to pass each other, the length of two German miles [7.64 km or 4.75 miles] camps, trenches and batteries:] Renvoye [A note following the key reads:] NB. Campement des Ennemis pres de Buttrinto / que S.E. le Feldmareschal Comte de Schoulen / bourg prit le 2e de Settembre. [bottom right, in ornate cartouche, an explanation of the naval orders of battle of the Ottoman and Venetian navies, and a note on the fishing and hunting in and around Lake Buttrinto.]

    Annotations:

    George III heading: Corfu 5 July - 22 August 1716.

    Other annotations: (Recto) none. (Verso) [top left, black pencil:] C 15; [top right, red pencil, first line cropped:] 22 of August 1716.; [bottom centre, red pencil:] 6/12; [bottom centre, black pencil, erased:] VII/13.

    George III catalogue entry:

    Corfu Plan dessiné du Siege de Corfu par Terre et par Mer, avec les Mouvements des Infideles depuis le 5 Juillet jusqu’au 22 Aout 1716 que cette place a eté delivrée par la fuite de l’Armée Ottomanne.

  • Subject(s)

    Kérkyra, Ionian Islands, Greece (39°37ʹ12ʺN 19°55ʹ11ʺE)

Page revisions

  • 24 July 2024