Alessandro Maridati’s “Gran carta corografica itineraria e statistica del Regno Lombardo-Veneto” stands as one of the most ambitious cartographic syntheses of Habsburg-controlled Italy in the mid-19th century. Published in Milan by Ferdinando Artaria e figlio in 1859 and masterfully engraved by Pezze, Allodi, and Bezzera, this imposing work—noteworthy for both its grand scale and scientific rigor—was conceived not merely to map the terrain, but to provide a systematic documentation of the infrastructure, resources, and administrative framework of the realm.
The primary representation exhibits an extraordinary graphic density, rendering the hydrographic network, road systems, and administrative borders with meticulous precision. While the Alps and Prealps are depicted with fine, realistic hachuring, the Po Valley is defined by a dense web of communication routes; major highways and postal paths are presented alongside railway lines and the telegraph network, all clearly highlighted as symbols of the era’s rapid technological evolution and modernity.
Surrounding the main body of the map is a rich decorative and informative apparatus that effectively transforms the sheet into a comprehensive administrative atlas of the Lombardo-Venetian Kingdom. The upper section features a refined profile view of mountain elevations, positioned above detailed tables dedicated to navigable rivers, irrigation systems, major lakes, and the burgeoning rail network. Furthermore, the inclusion of statistical data on land area and census figures, along with geographic coordinates and city elevations, confirms Maridati’s intent to offer a multi-layered reading of the territory—at once geographic, economic, and civil. A significant methodological note placed below the dedication details the criteria and sources used for the map’s compilation, reinforcing its scientific documentary value and showcasing a cartographic approach that explains its own process.
The lower margin of the map is dedicated to institutional identity and urban topography, dominated by the heraldic coats of arms of the provinces and a series of detailed plans for the principal Lombard and Venetian cities, ranging from Milan and Brescia to Verona and Venice. Each urban plan is accompanied by a legend of civil and military landmarks, providing an immediate overview of the internal structure and functions of the major centers. The overall effect is a visual masterpiece of monumental density, where institutional pride and administrative cataloging coexist within a single, harmonious design.
As a geographer and cartographer active in the first half of the 19th century, Alessandro Maridati distinguished himself through a systematic and multidisciplinary approach to territorial representation. His work reflects a sophisticated synthesis of traditional cartography and statistical data, aligning with the administrative and scientific demands of the period. The Gran carta corografica remains his most representative and prestigious achievement, serving as a testament to a refined geographic culture capable of harmonizing diverse topographic, hydrographic, and demographic sources into a grand, organic vision.
