Wallpaper - Old Map of Italy, 1570

Our Old Map of Italy, 1570 wallpaper brings historical cartography to the wall, reproducing Abraham Ortelius’s classic Renaissance map with remarkable clarity. The Italian peninsula sweeps diagonally across the composition, framed by the Mare Adriaticum, Mare Tyrrhenum, and Mare Ligusticum. Fine Latin typography names ancient regions and coastal towns, while delicate sailing ships and mythical sea figures, including a trident-bearing creature, bring character to the sea areas. Set against muted navy blue waters with warm beige landmasses and green and red topographical accents, this design works beautifully in studies and living rooms. Our wallpapers are made-to-measure and printed on PVC-free paper with a subtle surface structure.

In the room

For a design with this level of historical illustration, we like to give the wallpaper an uninterrupted wall where the full geography and detailed vignettes remain clearly readable. It sits naturally behind a desk in a home office or study, serving as a rich conversational backdrop. In a dining room or library, placing this mural wallpaper across a main wall creates a warm, scholarly atmosphere without overwhelming the space, thanks to the balanced density of the landmass and the open sea.

In larger living rooms or wide hallway staircases, the diagonal flow of the Italian coastline creates subtle visual movement across the room. Because the map contains intricate line work and fine lettering, we recommend keeping large, tall furniture pieces away from the centre of the wall so the major cartographic details and decorative cartouche remain visible.

Styling it

The rich heritage character of this map pairs naturally with traditional, regency, and classic interior styles, though it also offers an intriguing counterpoint in a pared-back contemporary setting.

We would combine this design with warm or mid-tone wood furniture, such as walnut, antique mahogany, or warm oak, which complements the aged parchment look of the paper. Keep upholstery and larger soft furnishings in quiet, woven fabrics without competing graphic patterns. Simple brass or dark iron accents on lighting or hardware echo the vintage character of the Renaissance cartography without feeling cluttered.

Colour combinations

The palette of this wallpaper is anchored by the muted navy blue of the surrounding seas, layered with warm parchment beige across the land, and accented with soft terracotta reds and olive greens along regional borders and mountain ranges.

To create a cohesive scheme, we recommend taking inspiration from the muted navy and pairing adjacent walls or woodwork in a deep, softened navy blue. For a lighter, more open feel, warm off-white or soft linen beige complements the map's parchment background seamlessly. Rich accent colours like deep madder red or antiqued brass also pick up on the decorative details within the title cartouche and crests.

About our wallpaper

At Wallism, our wallpapers and wall murals are made-to-measure based on your exact wall dimensions. Producing each order individually helps reduce unnecessary excess wallpaper compared with standard rolls.

All of our mural wallpapers are PVC-free and printed on paper featuring a subtle physical surface structure. They are designed to be straightforward to hang, making it simple to transform your interior.