Fra Mauro

Fra Mauro was a 15th-century Italian cartographer and Camaldolese monk who lived in the monastery of San Michele in Murano, near Venice. He is best known for creating the Fra Mauro Map, the most detailed and accurate representation of the world at the time of its creation (circa 1450).

The Fra Mauro Map is a circular world map drawn on parchment, measuring approximately 2.4 meters (7.9 ft) in diameter. It is oriented with south at the top, reflecting a traditional cartographic convention of the time. The map incorporates information from a variety of sources, including classical texts, Arab geographers, and the accounts of contemporary travelers and explorers. This includes accounts gathered from sources related to trade routes reaching to and from Asia.

Unlike many earlier world maps, the Fra Mauro Map is not centered on Jerusalem. It provides a relatively accurate depiction of Africa, including the Cape of Good Hope, and shows a connection between the Indian Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean, suggesting that Africa could be circumnavigated. It also presents a detailed depiction of Asia, including the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, and China.

The map's creation was commissioned by King Afonso V of Portugal, and it served as a valuable tool for Portuguese explorers and navigators during the Age of Discovery. The original map is currently housed in the Biblioteca Nazionale Marciana in Venice, Italy. Fra Mauro's work significantly advanced cartographic knowledge and influenced subsequent mapmakers for decades to come. His legacy lies in his commitment to incorporating the most up-to-date information available and presenting a more accurate and realistic representation of the world than had previously been seen.