Everything Everywhere Daily The Fra Mauro Medieval World Map
10 snips
Nov 15, 2025 Explore the remarkable story of a 15th-century map crafted by a Venetian monk, redefining medieval cartography. Discover how it combined detailed geographical insights with theological concepts, while shedding light on Venice's pivotal role in trade and information. Learn about Fra Mauro’s innovative approach, using empirical data instead of biblical references, and the map's expansive portrayal of Asia and Africa. Delve into its historical significance, revealing how this pioneering work influenced the Age of Exploration and beyond.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Medieval Maps Were Theological Diagrams
- Medieval European maps prioritized theology and salvation history over geographic accuracy.
- That made it hard to integrate new empirical information without breaking theological layouts.
No Projection, No Consistent Scale
- Medieval cartographers lacked a practical projection to convert the sphere to a flat map.
- That absence caused inconsistent scales, wandering orientations, and growing distortions across maps.
Fra Mauro’s Merchant Roots
- Fra Mauro lived and worked at the monastery of San Michele on Murano and had been involved in commerce before taking vows.
- His merchant background gave him an unusual grasp of trade networks that informed his cartography.
