The Illyricum Hodiernum Map of Croatia from 1668.

If you are interested in the history of the Balkans, the (1668.) Illyricum Hodiernum is one of the most beautiful maps ever made of the region. It was created by the famous mapmaker Joan Blaeu for a book by Ivan Lučić. Lučić is often called the father of Croatian history, and this map was a huge part of his work. It does not just show borders; it shows a land with a deep and complex past.

This 1668. map by Joan Blaeu provides a detailed look at the Illyrian region during the 17th century.

We use a thick, hand-processed paper for this map of Croatia to give it a sturdy and vintage feel. Each one gets a coat of natural beeswax for a warm, old-world glow. Because we burn the edges of our prints by hand, every piece is unique. It looks like it was pulled from a scholar's private drawer hundreds of years ago.

A Masterpiece of the Golden Age

This map was made during the height of the Dutch Golden Age of mapping. Joan Blaeu was the son of Willem Blaeu, and he took the family business to incredible heights. While he is famous for his massive 1662 world map, his work on regional maps like this one shows how much he cared about local history.

Joan Blaeu was a master of the Dutch Golden Age of mapmaking and creator of the famous Atlas Maior.

It is interesting to see how the style of mapping changed over time. If you compare this piece to the work of Abraham Ortelius, who made the first modern atlas, you can see how much more detailed and decorative maps became by the late 1600s.

The Secrets of the Illyricum Map

This map shows Croatia, Dalmatia, Slavonia, and parts of Bosnia. When you study the print, you can find a lot of small details that tell the story of the Adriatic coast.

Mapping the Waters

The Adriatic Sea is a central part of this map. It shows the islands and coastal towns that were so important for trade at the time. Our prints include tiny gold accents to make the details of the map stand out. These small touches help the art catch the light when the map is hanging on your wall.

The map features a formal dedication to Petar Zrinski; he was a very important Croatian leader and nobleman of the era.

A Focus on Accuracy and Art

Joan Blaeu worked closely with Ivan Lučić to make sure this map was as accurate as possible for the time. Every mountain range and river was placed with care. It is a perfect record of how the region was seen before modern borders were drawn. You can find more stories like this in our complete guide to antique map prints, which covers the history of these master creators.

Key Knowledge for Researchers

Feature	Detail
Official Name	Illyricum Hodiernum
The Maker	Joan Blaeu and Ivan Lučić
First Published	1668. (Amsterdam)
Map Style	Baroque Copperplate Engraving
Main Regions	Croatia, Dalmatia, Slavonia, and Bosnia

Why Our Handcrafted Replicas are Different

A map with this much history should not be a flat, modern print. We use a traditional artisan process to make sure every piece feels authentic.

• Always Hand Burned Edges: We burn the edges of our prints by hand. This ensures that no two maps are exactly alike and gives them a rugged, historical look.

• Beeswax Finishes: We finish each piece with a natural beeswax finish. This gives the paper a soft feel and a warm glow like real parchment.

• Tiny Gold Accents: We include tiny gold accents on our historical prints to add a touch of luxury.

• Custom Sizes: We offer custom sizes for all of our historical prints. You can get the perfect fit for your favorite frame.

• Free Worldwide Shipping: We are happy to offer free worldwide shipping on every order we send from our family workshop.

Displaying History in Your Home

Since we use thick, hand-processed paper and natural beeswax, these prints are built to last a long time. We usually recommend putting the map in a frame to keep it safe from dust. Because we can make these in custom sizes, you can easily find a frame that fits your space perfectly.

A lot of people like to use a float mount for their frames. This style lets the map sit slightly forward so that the hand-burned edges are easy to see from the side. It makes the art look calm and authentic in any room.

If you want to see exactly how we prepare our paper, you can read more about how we create our historical parchment replicas. You can also find this Croatia map and many others in our Antique World Maps collection.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Illyricum Hodiernum Map

What does "Illyricum Hodiernum" mean?

It is Latin for "Modern Illyria." This was a name used for the South Slavic lands during the Renaissance and Baroque periods.

Who was Ivan Lučić?

Ivan Lučić was a historian from Trogir. He is famous for writing the first scientific history of Croatia, and this map was made to go with his work.

Is this map geographically accurate?

For 1668, it was very accurate. While some of the mountain shapes are more artistic, the locations of the towns and islands are based on the best surveys available at the time.