Nova Totius Germaniae Descriptio Geographica ancient map of Germany by Heinrich Scherer

Nova Totius Germaniae Descriptio Geographica by Heinrich Scherer is a highly detailed and visually striking map of Germany, created in the late 17th to early 18th century as part of his monumental atlas series Atlas Novus. This map portrays the Holy Roman Empire’s intricate mosaic of states, bishoprics, and free cities with both geographic precision and rich symbolism. Scherer’s style is distinctively Jesuit—combining cartography with religious and allegorical imagery. The map often features elaborate cartouches, Catholic iconography, and scenic illustrations of churches, cities, and rivers, all engraved in copperplate and frequently hand-colored for dramatic effect.

Heinrich Scherer (1628–1704) was a German Jesuit priest, mathematician, and cartographer known for his ambitious and ornate Atlas Novus, which fused geography, theology, and political power. Unlike many of his Protestant contemporaries, Scherer emphasized Catholic perspectives, often using maps to express missionary ideals and the global reach of the Church. His work stands out for its baroque ornamentation and didactic intentions, merging faith and science in a uniquely Counter-Reformation vision of the world.