THE MAP OF MASSAUA IN 1888. A UNIQUE GEM

I have finally received this 1937 book, which traces the development of cartography in Italian East Africa, starting from its very beginnings, namely 1885. It contains many maps, and I thought I would share one as a little gift as better expalined furhter.

This book is a truly unique work, providing access to the military maps used by the Regio Esercito throughout its campaigns from 1885 onwards.

In fact, topographical surveys in Eritrea began almost immediately after the occupation of Massawa in 1885. The need for an accurate survey of the small island on which the town stood, as well as the adjoining coastal terrain, prompted the Istituto Geografico Militare (Italian Military Geographical Institute) to dispatch Lieutenant Lavallea as early as 1885 to carry out the necessary topographical work at a scale of 1:10,000.

The survey was based on a small measured baseline and a graphical triangulation derived from it. The area surveyed included the islands of Massawa and Taulud, together with the adjacent coastline.

In 1888, Lieutenant Lavallea himself used this original survey to produce a revised map of the area at a scale of 1:25,000, incorporating the first construction works undertaken by the Italian colonial authorities.

It was from this pioneering cartographic work that the map reproduced here originated. I have now brought it to life in colour, revealing the extraordinary detail of the area as it appeared during the earliest years of the Italian presence in Eritrea.

I wanted to share this little historical gem with all of you through my blog: a rare and, I would venture to say, truly unique piece of military cartographic history.

Copyright Michele SAVASTA FIORE

Here at bigger size to have a full vision of the details.

I have also the Assab's map, original dating 1885, that will be reproduced in my booklet.