Map of the city of Cairo (1525)

The 1525 map of Cairo by Piri Reis, a distinguished Ottoman admiral and cartographer, forms part of his renowned “Kitab-ı Bahriye” (Book of Navigation). This work is one of the earliest known cartographic representations of Cairo, providing a unique perspective on the city’s layout and prominent landmarks of the time. The map is oriented with the south at the top, placing what is now considered north downward, a typical convention in 16th-century navigation charts. This early depiction of Cairo includes notable districts like Imbaba, Bulaq, Shubra, Giza, and Old Cairo, along with the “City of the Dead,” a prominent area for tombs and shrines, such as that of Imam al-Shafi’i.

Piri Reis’s map of Cairo was created in 1525, during the height of the Ottoman Empire under Sultan Süleyman the Magnificent. The map is part of a comprehensive collection of navigational charts that Piri Reis meticulously crafted for his “Kitab-ı Bahriye”. His works were notable for their precise detailing of coastlines, urban layouts, and notable landmarks, reflecting both his extensive seafaring knowledge and the strategic interests of the Ottoman Empire in expanding navigation. This Cairo map, with its unusual south-upward orientation, reflects the navigational priorities of the time and the Ottoman Empire’s focus on Mediterranean and Nile Delta geography.

Piri Reis’s life as both a naval commander and a cartographer was shaped by his unique experiences at sea and his profound dedication to mapping the world. His “Kitab-ı Bahriye” was intended not only as a navigational aid but also as a record of the geographical knowledge of his era. His Cairo map, which carefully includes landmarks such as the Pyramids and the “City of the Dead,” suggests a keen awareness of the city’s historical and religious significance to both the Ottoman Empire and the Islamic world.

The map serves as a testament to the Ottoman Empire’s advancements in cartography and navigation during the early 16th century. Cairo, a major cultural and economic center, was of great interest to the Ottomans. The map’s emphasis on key landmarks, such as the Pyramids and the shrines within the City of the Dead, underscores Cairo’s enduring role as a religious and historical site.

The map of Cairo measures approximately 34 x 24 cm (13.4 x 9.4 inches) and is crafted with ink and paint on laid paper, a high-quality medium frequently employed in Ottoman manuscript and illuminated mapmaking. This technique allowed for the delicate detailing characteristic of Piri Reis’s work, featuring fine lines and distinct color contrasts to outline rivers, city blocks, and significant landmarks. The map’s decorative elements and careful attention to geographic accuracy exemplify Piri Reis’s skilled approach to cartography.

The original 1525 map of Cairo by Piri Reis is housed at the Walters Art Museum in Baltimore, USA.