S6 Ep1: Travelling Backwards with Jost Schmid

In the first episode of series six, Jerry speaks with Dr. Jost Schmid, the Head of Maps and Panoramas at the Zentralbibliothek Zürich (Zürich Central Library). Jost is a specialist in historical geography and this year marks his 20th year working at the Library! He has chosen a 500-year-old map that is both one of the earliest printed maps bound into a bible and the first map to be printed in Zürich, Switzerland.

The map, which has been printed in mirror image, depicts the biblical stories of the Old Testament set in the Holy Land - a region in Western Asia covering modern-day Syria, Palestine and Israel, and parts of Jordan and Egypt. Crafted by Swiss humanist scholar, cartographer and prominent figure in the Protestant Reform Joachim Vadian (1484-1551), this remarkable map draws directly from a six-sheet original by Renaissance painter and printmaker Lucas Cranach the Elder (1473-1553). Printed by the renowned Swiss publisher Christopher Froschauer (1490-1564) for inclusion in his 1515 Bible, it stands as one of three known surviving copies!

In their conversation, Jost and Jerry explore the convergence of real and fantastical cartography, maps of sacred spaces, and the emergence and evolution of borders in early mapmaking. They also discuss the imaginary realms depicted in legendary tales, and how maps served as useful tools on metaphysical pilgrimages or journeys.

Follow along with this episode at oculi-mundi.com/jost-schmid

From historians, scientists and writers, to creatives and cultural custodians, people have used maps as a source of knowledge, guidance, and inspiration for centuries.
Join us as map historian Jerry Brotton invites each guest to share a map close to their heart - and unfurl the ideas, inspirations, and personal stories behind it.
If you’re fascinated by history, art, adventure and culture, why not become part of a global community of fellow explorers as we ask - what’s YOUR map?

The award-winning What’s Your Map? is brought to you by Oculi Mundi (‘eyes of the world’), the online home of The Sunderland Collection of antique cartography.

For a fully immersive experience, visit Oculi-Mundi.com/podcast to explore each of the maps as you listen, and find more information and rabbit-holes about each guest.

Image detail: ©Zentralbibliothek Zurich

All views and opinions expressed by guests on the podcast are entirely their own and do not represent those of The Sunderland Collection or Whistledown Productions.