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Description

This rare Spanish plan of Algier was created by Juan Lopez in Madrid in 1783. It provides a detailed panoramic view of the city of Algiers, showcasing its extensive fortifications and urban layout as seen from the Mediterranean Sea. The illustration captures the city’s strategic coastal position, fortified walls, and prominent landmarks, which are identified in the accompanying legend. 

The chart depicts Algiers as a densely built city with tiered, tightly packed structures rising up a hill, encircled by formidable defensive walls and towers. The city’s harbor is illustrated in the foreground, showing ships and a fortified breakwater extending into the sea, emphasizing Algiers' significance as a maritime and military stronghold. The surrounding landscape includes rugged hills and additional fortifications, highlighting the city’s defensive depth and strategic importance in controlling access to the Mediterranean. 

The legend accompanying the chart lists 37 numbered landmarks, providing a comprehensive guide to the city's prominent features:

  1. Puerta de Babazira, o de la Pesaduria: One of the city gates, likely serving a commercial area or market.

  2. Puerta del Muelle, o de la Marina: The harbor or marina gate, indicating a key entry point for maritime traffic.

  3. Puerta de Babalot: Another city gate, showing the layered defenses of Algiers.

  4. Puerta Nueva, o Babachedit: A "new gate," suggesting later additions to the city's fortifications.

  5. Fuertes: Refers to various forts throughout the city, demonstrating Algiers’ heavily fortified nature.

  6. Alcazava: Likely the Kasbah or citadel, a prominent defensive structure and historic heart of the city.

  7. Caserias o Cacernas: Barracks or military quarters, indicative of the city’s role as a garrison.

  8. Casa del Rey: The King's House, possibly a reference to a palace or administrative building.

  9. Muelle que une la antigua Isleta a la Ciudad: A pier connecting the old islet to the city, highlighting infrastructural expansion over time.

  10. Fuerte y Castillo del Fanal: A fort and lighthouse, serving as navigational aids and defensive positions.

  11. Fuerte de la Marina: Fort by the marina, crucial for protecting the harbor.

  12. Torreon a la boca del Puerto: A tower at the harbor entrance, reinforcing control over the maritime approach.

  13. Pedazo de Muelle a la misma boca: A segment of the pier at the harbor entrance, suggesting modifications for defensive purposes.

  14. Galeota de Guardia: A guard galley, reflecting the naval presence safeguarding the city.

  15. Astillero: The shipyard, emphasizing the city’s shipbuilding and repair capabilities.

  16. Castillo del Medio: A central castle within the city’s defensive network.

  17. Baterias que los Moros llaman Topanas: Batteries referred to by the locals as Topanas, showcasing additional artillery emplacements.

  18. Rio Larache: Likely referring to a nearby waterway or defensive trench.

  19. Alquerias y Arboles: Agricultural estates and trees, indicating surrounding rural activities.

  20. Castillo del Emperador Carlos V: A fortress named after Emperor Charles V, linking Algiers' fortifications to broader European military history.

  21. Almacen de Polvora: A gunpowder magazine, essential for the city’s defense logistics.

  22. Castillo de la Estrella, o de los chirivinos, arruinado: A ruined castle known as "de la Estrella," reflecting the layered history of Algiers’ fortifications.

  23. Cantera: A quarry, likely used for building the city’s extensive stone fortifications.

  24. Mezquita y Casa grande de un Morabuto muy distinguido: A mosque and the large house of a notable marabout, indicating religious and residential landmarks.

  25. Busarria, montana la mas alta: The highest mountain nearby, providing a geographical marker.

  26. Cementerio de Christianos: The Christian cemetery, illustrating the city’s diverse cultural and religious fabric.

  27. Castillo de la Renegada, o Fuerte de Babiet: Another fortification named "de la Renegada," highlighting the defensive layers around Algiers.

  28. Castillo Ingles, o Burjio del Ochali, sobre una roca: An English castle or fort on a rock, reflecting foreign influences and military interests in the region.

  29. Castillo Blanco: The White Castle, likely a distinctive fortification within the city's defenses.

  30. Castillo de la Sardina, o Fuerte Casines: Named fortifications, underscoring the diverse and comprehensive defensive measures of Algiers.

  31. Anchuras peligrosas: Dangerous waters or areas near the coastline, potentially indicating hazards for navigation.

  32. Muralla dividida en cuatro Fortalezas: A wall divided into four fortresses, underscoring the segmented and robust defensive design.

  33. Hornos de Cal: Lime kilns, significant for construction and maintenance of the city’s infrastructure.

This chart provides a vivid and detailed depiction of Algiers in the late 18th century, illustrating its robust fortifications, strategic maritime position, and complex urban layout. The landmarks listed in the legend offer a comprehensive overview of the city’s military, religious, and residential architecture, reflecting Algiers' importance as a fortified stronghold and a bustling hub in the Mediterranean. 

The map notes that:

There are two perspectives of Algiers: one includes the history of the city, written in French by Monsieur Laugier de Tassy and translated into Spanish by D. Antonio de Clariana y Gualbes in the year 1733; the other, engraved in 1775, differs from the first only in some parts of the Bay and the pier. Both have been of use by  me; however, I mostly followed the modern one, correcting the major errors that arise from their variations. Some of these errors result from the objects not being taken from the same viewpoint, which should have been indicated in all such representations, to avoid confusing their aspects and to place them in the correct location, as is observed with the views of Coasts, Mountains, &c., that accompany nautical charts.

Condition Description
Minor foxing.