Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

La sfera
Italy, probably Florence, second half of 15th century
MS M.721 fol. 21v

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In lower right margin, monastery of St. Catherine, inscribed S(AN)C(T)A K(A)TERINA as buildings, one with awning supported by poles, and tower atop mountain inscribed MONTE SINAI. At base of mountains to left, are two streams inscribed M(ARE) DI GALILEA, leading to F(IUME) GIORDANO, and terminating in LAGO DI SODOMA, possibly Dead Sea. Other inscribed place names including SAMARIA, GALILEA, SION, HACARET, GERUSALEM represented as walls enclosing buildings and mound surmounted by cross, JUDEA, BETTALEM, and M(ARE) ROSSO.
Along the coast, from left (north) ALEXANDRETTA (Iskenderun), SOLDINO, LALECCA, TORTOLA, TRIPOLI, BARUTI (Beirut?), SARETTA, SUR (Sour?), CESAREA, IOPPEN (Jaffa), ASTALONA (Ashkelon?), and LARISSA.