Geographical names of the Adriatic Sea on medieval and early-modern maps and nautical charts
Year: 2023
Type: article
Abstract: The Adriatic Sea is one of the most frequently depicted parts of the Mediterranean on medieval and early-modern maps and nautical charts. Examination of these maps has revealed that the name of this sea reflects ancient tradition, particularly in terms of the use of various versions of the ancient Latin name Mare Adriaticum and, from the end of the Middle Ages, the Venetian declaration of political ambition to gain dominance over the entire sea. This Venetian agenda manifested itself in the naming of the entire sea as the Gulf of Venice (Golfo di Venezia). By uncritically adopting the geographical content of Venetian maps, the Venetian name for this sea was transferred to maps produced in numerous European cartographic centres. The abolition of the Republic of Venice in 1797 contributed to reduce the geographical scope of the hydronym Golfo di Venezia to the water area in the immediate vicinity of Venice, while various versions of the ancient name (Eng. Adriatic Sea, Ital. Mare Adriatico, Fr. Mer Adriatique, Ger. Adriatisches Meer, Cro. Jadransko more, etc.) prevailed. Based on the fact that maps are an important medium of communication of spatial information and spatial concepts, examples of the names of the Adriatic Sea on old maps confirm the importance of these sources for toponymy research.
Source: Journal of Historical Geography
Authors: Josip Faričić, Orietta Selva, Dragan Umek
Institutions: University of Zadar, University of Trieste
Language: English
Subfield: Geography, Planning and Development
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $2,270
Funder: Hrvatska Zaklada za Znanost
OpenAlex ID: W4387338447