Who was Olaus Magnus?
The Carta Marina, or the "Sea Map", was created by Olaus Magnus. Contrary to belief, Magnus was not a cartographer, but in fact, a Swedish Catholic priest. He created the map while on a diplomatic mission to Rome in 1523. Olaus based his map on his own experiences, earlier maps, and ancient writings and accounts of the sea from the sailors he met on his journey. He later wrote "Historia de Gentibus Septentrionablibus" or "A Description of the Northern Peoples" as an accompaniment to his map in 1555. Although Magnus is long gone, his map lives on for generations to view and to wonder at in the Baikie Library in the Orkney Museum.
What is the Carta Marina?
The Carta Marina et Descriptio Septentrionalium Terrarum or the Carta Marina for short is a map of the northern lands of Europe according to Olaus Magnus. In addition to the usual geographical features, Magnus put his own spin on the map by adding a variety of fantastical beasts. His seas are full of sea creatures battling man and beast. His lands are strewn with intricate depictions of hunting parties, man-eating creatures, and castles.
The Carta Marina - the Map of the Sea
