Finely executed hand-drawn map of the heavily fortified city of Antibes and the neighboring Fort Carré across the harbor.
Antibes, located in southeastern France, has a rich history dating back to ancient times. It was founded by the Greeks in the 5th century BC and later conquered by the Romans in the 2nd century BC. During the Middle Ages, the city was a major center of trade and commerce, and its fortifications played a crucial role in protecting it from invading forces.
Fort Carré, is a 16th-century star-shaped fort of four arrow-head shaped bastions, that stands on a 26-meter high promontory in Antibes, France. Henri de Mandon built the fort during the reign of Henry II. During the 17th century, the Marquis de Vauban redeveloped it. Vauban also fortified Antibes itself, adding four arrow-headed bastions around the town, as well as seaward fortifications with a bastion on the breakwater closing the harbor.
During the French Revolution, Napoleon Bonaparte was briefly imprisoned at Fort Carré in July 1794, after the violent overthrow of Robespierre.
The map provides a detailed depiction of the city's layout, including harbor, breakwater, streets, buildings, bridges, batteries, military installations and other fortifications. The map is drawn in pen and with wash colors, and its precise lines and detailed shading give it a realistic, three-dimensional quality.
The map also shows the city's other major fortifications, including its walls and 2 gates.