What is Illyricum Hodiernum (1668)?

It’s a seventeenth-century antique map of Croatia made in Amsterdam in 1668. It shows the Dalmatian coast and Adriatic islands in color, with inland rivers and towns, so it reads like a real old atlas page as wall art and home decor.

Who made this map, and why is it important?

Dutch cartographer Joan Blaeu engraved it using research and local knowledge from Croatian historian Ivan Lučić (Johannes Lucius). It’s often described as one of the first maps to bring Dalmatia, Croatia, Slavonia, and Bosnia together on a single sheet.

What details should I look for on this 1668 Croatia map print?

Look for the coats of arms around the map and the Latin text panels. One panel is a Latin dedication to Ban Petar Zrinski, which ties the map to real seventeenth-century Croatian politics, not just geography.

Will it arrive safely with international shipping?

Yes. We ship worldwide and pack prints rolled, wrapped in bubble wrap, and placed in a sturdy cardboard box to protect the paper during long-distance shipping.

Can I order a custom size, and how is the print finished?

Yes. Choose a standard size on the product page, or message us for custom sizing. Every piece is made on hand-processed paper, with softly burned edges, gold paint highlights, and a beeswax finish for a parchment-style look.

Illyricum Hodiernum - Joan Blaeu & Ivan Lucic, 1668. (Antique Map In Color)
This map gives you a classic 17th century view of Croatia in color. The Dalmatian coastline, islands and inland rivers sit on a warm parchment style background. Coats of arms and Latin text panels make it feel like a real page from an old atlas, and it fits well next to books, wood and brass in a study or living room.

To learn more about the history of these pieces and how we craft them in our family workshop, feel free to read our full guide to antique map prints.

About this map print
This print is based on Illyricum Hodiernum, first printed in Amsterdam in 1668. Dutch cartographer Joan Blaeu engraved the map using research and local knowledge from Croatian historian Ivan Lucic (Johannes Lucius) for his work on the Kingdom of Dalmatia and Croatia.

The map is often described as the first full map of Croatian historical lands. It brings Dalmatia, Croatia, Slavonia and Bosnia together on one map and fills them with towns, rivers and mountain ranges, so you see how these regions connect to each other.

Around the central map you can see coats of arms for Bosnia, Dalmatia, Slavonia and Croatia, along with other heraldic shields. One of the side panels is a Latin dedication to Croatian ban Petar Zrinski, which ties the map directly to 17th century Croatian politics and gives it a personal, local feel.

The rich frame, clear lettering and careful color put this sheet in the same family as other big Dutch Golden Age maps, like Visscher’s Nova Totius Terrarum Orbis, but here the focus stays firmly on Croatia and its neighbors rather than the whole world.

If you are curious about the history behind this piece, we put together a short background on this map for you to read.

Craft & finish
Every replica we make is individually hand-processed in our family workshop. We finish the paper with a traditional beeswax seal to give it a warm, heavy texture. Our team also adds subtle gold paint details by hand to help the artwork truly shine. To complete the look, we hand-burn the edges to give each piece the feel of a true historical artifact.

While our smaller sizes are perfect for gallery walls, our 43x61 cm Large replica is a museum-scale centerpiece. Because of the size, the hand-processing and beeswax application take much longer. This extra time and care ensures that every centimeter of the historic illustration is preserved with a rich, authentic glow.

Find more prints like this in our Antique Maps collection.

Illyricum Hodiernum (Joan Blaeu & Ivan Lucic, 1668.) - Antique Map of Croatia

Name: Illyricum Hodiernum (Joan Blaeu & Ivan Lucic, 1668.) - Antique Map of Croatia
Brand: Artifex Replicas

€49.00

Buy 2 Get 15% Off

Size

Quantity

At Artifex Historical Replicas, we bridge the gap between museum archives and your home. Each piece is a handcrafted historical art print recreated from authentic primary sources, including antique city views and botanical illustrations.

Hand-Processed Paper: We use specialized paper with burned edges and a beeswax finish to replicate the weight and feel of genuine old parchment.

Gilded Details: Our workshop adds subtle real gold accents, bringing the same glow to your walls found in 16th-century illuminated manuscripts.

Custom Sizes & Worldwide Shipping: We offer bespoke sizing for custom frames and ship our historical replicas globally from our family workshop.

Explore our full guide on how we create, display, and restore parchment-style replicas.
Q1: What is Illyricum Hodiernum (1668)?
A: It’s a seventeenth-century antique map of Croatia made in Amsterdam in 1668. It shows the Dalmatian coast and Adriatic islands in color, with inland rivers and towns, so it reads like a real old atlas page as wall art and home decor.

Q2: Who made this map, and why is it important?
A: Dutch cartographer Joan Blaeu engraved it using research and local knowledge from Croatian historian Ivan Lučić (Johannes Lucius). It’s often described as one of the first maps to bring Dalmatia, Croatia, Slavonia, and Bosnia together on a single sheet.

Q3: What details should I look for on this 1668 Croatia map print?
A: Look for the coats of arms around the map and the Latin text panels. One panel is a Latin dedication to Ban Petar Zrinski, which ties the map to real seventeenth-century Croatian politics, not just geography.

Q4: Will it arrive safely with international shipping?
A: Yes. We ship worldwide and pack prints rolled, wrapped in bubble wrap, and placed in a sturdy cardboard box to protect the paper during long-distance shipping.

Q5: Can I order a custom size, and how is the print finished?
A: Yes. Choose a standard size on the product page, or message us for custom sizing. Every piece is made on hand-processed paper, with softly burned edges, gold paint highlights, and a beeswax finish for a parchment-style look.
Your handmade historical replica is finished with a traditional beeswax seal to create an authentic parchment texture. Because of this artisan process, care is slightly different than a standard poster:

Flattening: If your print has a slight curve from shipping, simply unroll it and place it under clean, flat weights (like books) for 24–48 hours.

Removing Creases: The beeswax finish is flexible. If a crease appears, gently warm the area with a hair dryer on low heat. As the wax relaxes, the crease will vanish into the paper. Note: Avoid open flames to ensure the safety of your art.

Display & Environment: To preserve the rich colors and wax texture, display your print away from direct sunlight, radiators, or humid areas. High heat can soften the wax, and UV light can fade historical inks over time.

Framing Tip: For the best archival look, we recommend framing behind glass in a dry, room-temperature environment.

Illyricum Hodiernum (Joan Blaeu & Ivan Lucic, 1668.) - Antique Map of Croatia

ABOUT OUR HISTORICAL REPLICAS

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)

HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR BEESWAX-FINISHED PRINT

Related Products