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This historical manuscript map was likely drafted by a Swedish Military Engineering student in the second half of the 18th Century.

The map illustrates the Siege of Narva (1704) during the Great Northern War (1700–1721), when Russian forces under Tsar Peter the Great successfully captured the fortified Swedish city of Narva. The map is titled "Abriss von dem unter Comando Sr: Excelln: des comandinenden General Feld Marchalls Freyher von Ogilvi... glücklich eroberten Vestung Narva", which translates to "Outline of the Fortress of Narva, successfully captured under the command of His Excellency, Field Marshal Freiherr von Ogilvy." This title references Georg Benedict von Ogilvy, a Scottish-born Austrian general in Russian service, who played a leading role in the siege.

The Siege of Narva (1704) was a pivotal moment in the Great Northern War, marking Russia's second major attempt to seize the city from Sweden. Narva had previously been the site of the Battle of Narva (1700), where King Charles XII of Sweden had miraculously defeated a much larger Russian army. However, in July–August 1704, Peter the Great launched a renewed siege with a well-organized army, overwhelming the Swedish garrison. The Swedish commander, General-Major Johan Reinhold Horn, ultimately surrendered on August 9, 1704, after prolonged bombardment and multiple Russian assaults.

The Narva River ("Narva Strom"), prominently depicted, serves as a natural boundary separating the Swedish-held city from Russian-occupied territories. The map highlights the fortifications of Narva, illustrating its star-shaped bastion walls, which were characteristic of early modern European military architecture. Several key defensive structures are marked, including the Bastion Victoria, Bastion Honor, and Bastion Triumph, many of which were heavily attacked during the siege. Across the river, the Russian-controlled Ivangorod Fortress, depicted in red, played a crucial role in supporting the Russian assault.

A detailed legend ("Anweisungs Relation") provides descriptions of the battle plan, key fortifications, and phases of the siege. It details how the Bastion Victoria was breached, leading to the storming of the inner city. Additional annotations describe how Swedish troops attempted to hold their positions, but the Russian artillery bombardment and direct assaults forced a surrender. The Swedish garrison, numbering 4,375 men, included artillery officers, infantry, and militia troops, many of whom were captured or executed after the city's fall.

The capture of Narva in 1704 was a turning point in the Great Northern War, allowing Peter the Great to consolidate Russian control over Ingria and Livonia, securing access to the Baltic Sea. The fall of Narva and Dorpat (Tartu) in 1704 was part of Russia’s broader campaign to weaken Swedish dominance in Northern Europe. This successful siege was one of the first major Russian victories against Sweden, signaling the gradual decline of Swedish power and the rise of Russia as a Baltic power.

Cartographically, this map follows early 18th-century military mapping traditions, emphasizing fortifications, siege tactics, and battlefield strategy. The elegant German script, hand-drawn fortifications, and detailed military annotations suggest that this map was produced as a military report or archival record, possibly commissioned for use by the Russian command.