WINTER 2005 • PAGE 11
NAUTICAL HISTORY
By Charlie Nobles
P
ortolan (pilot-book) charts served as the These portolano or “pilot book” charts were drawn in
primary navigational aids for seafarers 1650 by Franciscus Oliva, a member of a well-
between the 14
th
and early 17
th
known family of Italian map makers. They
centuries. “Portolano” is Italian and refers
were presented as a gift to the Tounis College
to the written sailing directions that
in Edinburgh, Scotland, in a leather-bound
allowed navigators to set their course
folder by Thomas Young in 1690. Most
between key ports. This information,
portalan charts of the Mediterranean
compiled over centuries of voyages,
originated in Venice, Genoa and Majorca.
eventually led to the first true marine
charts. As such, these portolan charts
They show the coastal waters, along with
are some of the first occurrences of
navigational points, of the
bearing lines, which represent a key
Mediterranean Sea and the eastern
stage in the history of map or chart
Atlantic Ocean. Today, these are admired
making, especially from the standpoint as much for their detailed artwork and
of navigation in cartography. beauty as their historical information.
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