Mapping Pathways to Heaven: A Topographical Engraving of Meteora (1782)

A late 18th-century topographical engraving of Meteora, the second-largest monastic complex in Greece and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, reveals how cartographic principles merged with Byzantine artistic traditions to create a unique visual representation. This 1782 print serves as both a mental map reflecting monks' perceptions of the region and a promotional tool during a period of political instability. The engraving's dual purpose—simultaneously concealing harsh terrestrial conditions while highlighting spiritual pathways—offers insight into vernacular Greek cartographic practices and the cultural significance of Meteora. The study analyzes this rare artifact to uncover its historical and artistic value, situating it within broader trends in Greek mapping and monastic visualization.

della Dora, V. (2013). Mapping Pathways to Heaven: A Topographical Engraving of Meteora (1782). Imago Mundi, 65(2), 217–233. https://doi.org/10.1080/03085694.2013.784567