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This map of Messina, located on the island of Sicily, was produced by the renowned French cartographer Jacques-Nicolas Bellin and published in his Petit Atlas Maritime in 1764. The map provides a detailed representation of the city’s layout, fortifications, and surrounding coastal features, highlighting the city’s strategic location at the northeastern tip of Sicily, facing the Strait of Messina. Notable landmarks such as the citadel, various forts, and the harbor infrastructure—including the Lazaret and the Lanterne ou Fanale—are carefully depicted, emphasizing Messina's significance as a fortified port and naval center in the 18th century.
Messina's location at the narrowest point between Sicily and mainland Italy made it a critical hub for maritime trade and military operations throughout the 18th century. The city was a focal point of geopolitical struggles between European powers, as control of Sicily, and especially the Strait of Messina, was vital for maintaining influence over Mediterranean trade routes.
During the War of the Spanish Succession (1701-1714), Sicily and Messina became important assets in the conflict between Bourbon Spain and Habsburg Austria. The Treaty of Utrecht (1713) resulted in Sicily being ceded to the House of Savoy, while Messina remained a key strategic city due to its well-fortified harbor, which could house naval fleets and protect shipping lanes through the Strait of Messina.
In 1734, during the War of the Polish Succession, Sicily was once again drawn into conflict as the Bourbon Kingdom of Spain sought to reclaim control of the island. The city of Messina witnessed numerous military actions during this period, and by the Treaty of Vienna (1738), Sicily and Messina were transferred to Spanish control under the Bourbon king Charles III of Spain. This consolidation of Bourbon power in southern Italy and Sicily marked a turning point in the region’s governance, leading to an era of renewed attention on fortifying and improving Messina’s military and naval capabilities.
Messina’s significance continued to rise during the late 18th century, as its strategic harbor made it a contested site during various European conflicts. One of the notable military episodes was the revolt of the city against the Spanish Bourbons in 1674, leading to a prolonged siege and eventual suppression by Spanish forces in 1678. Though this revolt predates Bellin’s map, it set the stage for Messina’s fortified defenses, which are illustrated prominently in the map, including the key forts and the citadel.
Throughout the century, Messina was seen as a crucial base for controlling naval operations in the Mediterranean. Its proximity to important sea routes meant that the city played a role in protecting merchant shipping from pirates and privateers, particularly during the numerous conflicts between European powers vying for influence in the Mediterranean. The harbor, depicted in detail in Bellin’s map, was instrumental in servicing fleets and providing safe passage for ships traveling between the Eastern and Western Mediterranean.
Jacques-Nicolas Bellin (1703-1772) was among the most important mapmakers of the eighteenth century. In 1721, at only the age of 18, he was appointed Hydrographer to the French Navy. In August 1741, he became the first Ingénieur de la Marine of the Dépôt des cartes et plans de la Marine (the French Hydrographic Office) and was named Official Hydrographer of the French King.
During his term as Official Hydrographer, the Dépôt was the one of the most active centers for the production of sea charts and maps in Europe. Their output included a folio-format sea atlas of France, the Neptune Francois. He also produced a number of sea atlases of the world, including the Atlas Maritime and the Hydrographie Francaise. These gained fame and distinction all over Europe and were republished throughout the eighteenth and even in the nineteenth century.
Bellin also produced smaller format maps such as the 1764 Petit Atlas Maritime, containing 580 finely-detailed charts. He also contributed a number of maps for the 15-volume Histoire Generale des Voyages of Antoine François Prévost.
Bellin set a very high standard of workmanship and accuracy, cementing France's leading role in European cartography and geography during this period. Many of his maps were copied by other mapmakers across the continent.
