The Piri Reis Map

[IMAGE: Antique map of the Atlantic Ocean and surrounding continents, drawn by Turkish Admiral Piri Reis in 1513, showing the Americas, Europe, Africa, and various sea creatures and ships]

Map of

Turkish Admiral PIRI REIS

1513

This map has been reproduced translating the original text to English.

Original copy : Topkapi Palace Museum.

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This sea is called the Western Sea

This sea is called the Western Sea, but the Europeans call it the Mar Oceano. The reason why it is thus called is because a sailor named Columbus, who was born in Genoa, was the first to discover it, opening it up to navigation. It is also called the Sea of Darkness. There is a story that this sea has no end or boundary, that at its other end there is darkness. But the Portuguese infidels say it has an end, and that they have, sailing on it, is every country.

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The source of this column map

The source of this column map shows that at the time of the drawing of this map, the coast of Antilia had not yet been precisely recorded. On this map there is a description of the western shore. Along this shore were found many islands. Of these, the most important is the island that is now called Cuba Island…

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This map was drawn by the pen of the poor Muhiddin Piri

This map was drawn by the pen of the poor Muhiddin Piri, known as the son of Haci Mehmed. It is the only map of its kind existing now. From twenty charts and Mappa Mundi — these are charts drawn in the days of Alexander, Lord of the Two Horns, which show the inhabited quarter of the world — the author has used eight Jaferiye maps, one Arabic map of India, and the maps that were drawn by four Portuguese who had been to the country of Hind, Sind and China. Also from a map drawn by Columbus in the western regions I have extracted the coastlines, and have reduced them all to one scale. Let this be known.

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This section tells how these shores and who these islands were found

These shores are called the shores of Antilia. They were found in the year 896 of the Arab calendar. But it is reported thus, that a Genoese infidel, his name was Columbus, was the discoverer of these places. It is told in the book of the Portuguese infidel, that this Columbus went first to the presence of the King of Spain, and gave information about these coasts, saying: "Hand over to me two ships, let me go and I shall find you many lands." But the above mentioned King of Spain did not credit him. Columbus, persistent in his word, eventually informed the King, who gave him two ships, saw them equipped, and said: "O Columbus, if it happens as you say, let us make you governor, and we will support you." Having said this he sent Columbus off. The late Columbus set sail from the port of Spain with two ships, heading first for the Canary Islands. From there, steering towards the west on the open sea for a period of four months, and after seeing such sea wonders and having endured many hardships, he finally saw land. He went on shore, and found that people were wandering about naked without religion. He took four of the people there; they could not speak the Spanish language…

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This section shows is what way this map was drawn

In this section we are going to say in what way this map was drawn. The map of the western lands mentioned in this section has been taken from the map drawn by Columbus. The map of this region is from a map drawn by Columbus showing the western shore. So also a map drawn by Kemal Reis has been utilized. The writer of this humble map is the poor Muhiddin Piri, the son of Haci Mehmed, known as Katibi Rumi. May God pardon his sins. Amen. The date of this map is 919 (Arab calendar).

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Printed by The Department of Navigation Hydrography and Oceanography of Turkish Navy.

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And in this country it seems that they mine silver mixed with insects…

And in this country it seems that they mine silver mixed with insects. The Portuguese still always keep sentinels at the place…

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This country is uninhabited. Everything is in ruin and it is said that huge snakes are found here. For this reason the Portuguese infidels do not go there, but there are also said to be grey fox.

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Map Annotations

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This scan is an English-translation reproduction of the original (the original Ottoman Turkish manuscript is held at the Topkapi Palace Museum, Istanbul). The translated marginal notes on the map cover several topics, organized roughly by location:

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• Self-identification and methodology (left side of map) – Piri Reis describes his sources, including a captured map of Columbus’s, charts from his uncle Kemal Reis, and roughly twenty other reference maps, dated 919 AH (1513 CE).
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• Discovery narrative (large central-left block) – an account of Columbus’s voyages, the Antilia coast, and encounters with the indigenous peoples and resources of the new lands.
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• Atlantic and source notes (upper-center, center) – naming conventions for the Atlantic Ocean and the Portuguese and Arab charts consulted.
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• Coastal navigation notes (down the South American coast) – river locations, settlements, and depth soundings.
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• African coast labels (right side) – place names including the Sultan of Morocco, the Sahara, and various capes and rivers.
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• Atlantic island labels (upper area) – the Azores, Madeira, the Canary Islands, the Cape Verde Islands, and individual island names.
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• Southern landmass notes (lower right) – speculative descriptions of an unexplored southern region.
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Note: the scan resolution does not permit a precise word-for-word transcription of every annotation. For a rigorous scholarly transcription and translation, see Gregory McIntosh, The Piri Reis Map of 1513 (2000), and the work of Svat Soucek.

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