Fra Mauro Collection

The voyage to Cape Blanco from Cape Bojador
1578438 The voyage to Cape Blanco from Cape Bojador; (add.info.: The voyage to Cape Blanco from Cape Bojador. From Fra Mauro's map, 1457.); Universal History Archive/UIG.

Africa - from Ceuta to Madeira, the canaries and Cape Bojador
1578437 Africa - from Ceuta to Madeira, the canaries and Cape Bojador; (add.info.: Africa - from Ceuta to Madeira, the canaries and Cape Bojador)

Sketch of Africa from Fra Mauro's Great Map of the World, 1457
1578440 Sketch of Africa from Fra Mauro's Great Map of the World, 1457; (add.info.: Sketch of Africa from Fra Mauro's Great Map of the World, 1457); Universal History Archive/UIG.

A portion of Africa from Fra Mauro's map
1578439 A portion of Africa from Fra Mauro's map; (add.info.: A portion of Africa from Fra Mauro's map illustrating Cadamosto's voyage beyond Cape Blanco.); Universal History Archive/UIG.

Lunar Module Antares on the Moon, Apollo 14 mission, February 1971
Lunar Module Antares at the Fra Mauro crater landing site on the Moon, Apollo 14 mission, February 1971. Apollo 14 was the third manned mission in NASAs Apollo programme to land on the Moon

Map of China, from World map by Camaldolese monk Fra Mauro, 1449
Cartography, 15th century. Map of China. From World map by Camaldolese monk Fra Mauro, 1449. Detail

The Caspian Sea from World map by Camaldolese monk Fra Mauro, 1449
Cartography, 15th century. World map by Camaldolese monk Fra Mauro, 1449. Detail: The Caspian Sea

World map by Camaldolese monk Fra Mauro, 1449, detail: Italy
Cartography, 15th century. World map by Camaldolese monk Fra Mauro, 1449. Detail: Italy

Map of Northern Africa from World map by Camaldolese monk Fra Mauro, 1449 Detail
Cartography, 15th century. Map of Northern Africa. From World map by Camaldolese monk Fra Mauro, 1449. Detail

Map of Black Sea, from World map by Camaldolese monk Fra Mauro, 1449
Cartography, 15th century. Map of Black Sea. From World map by Camaldolese monk Fra Mauro, 1449. Detail

Map of Mediterranean Sea, from World map by Camaldolese monk Fra Mauro, 1449, detail
Cartography, 15th century. Map of the Mediterranean Sea. From the World map by Camaldolese monk Fra Mauro, 1449. Detail

Apollo 13 planned landing site on Moon
Apollo 13 planned landing site in the Fra Mauro area on the Moon. The Fra Mauro area is a flat, vast highland centred at 17 degrees and 36 minutes west longitude and 3 degrees

Planned landing site, Fra Mauro area
Apollo 13 planned landing site. View of the Fra Mauro area on the Moon which was selected as a landing site for the Apollo 13 mission

Lunar landing module. The Antares lander (upper centre) in the Fra Mauro area on the surface of the Moon. The tracks seen leading from Antares were formed by the Modular Equipment Transport (MET)

India coast, 1459
The Malabar coast of India, from Fra Mauros map, 1459 (south is at the top). Digitally colored woodcut reproduction

All Professionally Made to Order for Quick Shipping

Fra Mauro, a Camaldolese monk from the 15th century, left an indelible mark on both lunar exploration and cartography. In February 1971, as part of the Apollo 14 mission, the Lunar Module Antares gracefully touched down on the Moon's surface. This historic event served as a testament to human ingenuity and Fra Mauro's enduring legacy. However, Fra Mauro's contributions extend far beyond space exploration. His meticulously crafted maps offer us a glimpse into the world as it was in 1449. One such map showcases China with intricate detail, revealing its vastness and cultural richness. As we delve deeper into Fra Mauro's masterpiece, we encounter captivating details of Asian Turkey and Mesopotamia. These regions were once cradles of ancient civilizations that shaped our shared history. Moving westward across his map, Northern Africa unfolds before our eyes in all its splendor. From Egypt to Morocco, each city is carefully marked—a testament to Fra Mauro's dedication to accuracy and precision. The Caspian Sea glistens like a precious gem on his creation—an oasis amidst vast lands—reminding us of nature's wonders that have captivated explorers for centuries. Italy takes center stage in another detailed section of Fra Mauro's work. Every contour lovingly etched onto parchment brings this beloved country to life—a tribute to his homeland. Venturing further north reveals the Black Sea region—an area steeped in myth and legend—where countless stories have unfolded throughout time immemorial. Finally, we find ourselves navigating through the Mediterranean Sea—the heartland of ancient empires where cultures collided and flourished under azure skies—a reminder of humanity's interconnectedness across borders and seas. Intriguingly enough, even Apollo 13 had its planned landing site within reach on this celestial body known as Earth’s satellite – an intersection between past cartographic marvels and future space exploration.