The map of the Province of Pavia, dedicated “To His Excellency the Count of Hartig, Governor of Lombardy,” drawn by Giovanni Verri and published in Milan in 1850, is a remarkable example of mid-19th-century Lombard administrative cartography, following in the footsteps of the great Austro-Lombard topographical tradition.
The work accurately depicts the entire territory of Pavia, then part of the Lombardy-Veneto Kingdom under Austrian rule, a few years before the profound political changes that would lead to the unification of Italy. In this historical context, cartography had not only a descriptive function, but also an administrative, fiscal, and military one, becoming an essential tool for governing the territory.
Of particular note is the large topographical map of the city of Pavia, located at the bottom left of the map. This carefully engraved urban insert shows the city within its walls, with a clear distinction between blocks, streets, squares, public buildings, and religious structures. The Ticino River, which flows through the city, is represented as a natural and defensive element of primary importance.
On the left side of the map is a list of conventional symbols, which are essential for interpreting the complex graphic language. Here, the symbols used for roads, bridges, waterways, notable buildings, boundaries, and infrastructure are explained, according to a codification that was standard in technical cartography at the time.
On the right side, there is a detailed system of legends and tables dedicated to the administrative division of the province. These include lists of districts, municipalities, parishes, and territorial districts, with numerical and toponymic indications that reinforce the official and statistical value of the map. These systems reflect the Austrian state’s need to control and rationalize the territory through comprehensive and orderly knowledge.
