Dalmatia maritima occidentale & Dalmatia maritima orientale

Rossi's beautiful map of the Dalmatian coast from the Canale di Zara or modern Zadar to the Lago di Scutari, or Skadar (Shkodër), on the border between Montenegro and Albania.

This is one of the more spectacular maps of the eastern Adriatic coast and the geography is taken from Venetian surveys. Venice had a long history with the region and at this time, it was in the middle of a conflict with the Ottoman Empire. No doubt, this is the reason for the distinctly martial theme of the dedication to Pope Innocent XI on the upper right.

The lower left bears a panel of geographical directions including a key to ancient and modern names. It is inset within a frame of classical figures including a sea monster and St. Mark, patron saint of Venice holding a book on which is written "Pax tibi Marce, Evangelista meus" translated to "peace to you, Mark my Evangelist". Legend claims that when St. Mark's remains were taken to Venice, an angel appeared and uttered those words, thus showing God's approval of his final resting place in the Venetian Lagoon.

Two sheets joined.