Mercator Place Names of Italy in 1554

by Maridonna Benvenuti

© Andrea Hicks 2001

I am very grateful to Joshua Mittleman for his help.

I have sought a list of period place-names for Italy. When I found Mercator's map of Italy, I was very excited and set to work. Some names have their modern equivalent, others I couldn't find on a modern map. Although the scribe was incredible, I still had difficulty with letters that looked alike: t and c, d and cl, u and n, m and ni, ui and iu, etc.

The place-names of Sardinia, Sicily, Italy, and the surrounding islands, waters etc., were taken from a facsimile of the 1554 map of Italia by the explorer Gerardus Mercator, 1512 - 1594 for the King of France. The maps are now in the British Museum. My copy of 'Italia' was obtained from Walking Tree Press, 1998.

Each country has it's own color so Istria has been included. There were no definite regional boundaries within Italia on the map. I have done my best to place the towns and cities in the appropriate region. Some areas of the map were faded, or on a fold, so some letters may be incorrect. Any mistakes are my own (or Mercator's).

The slash represents an accent over the previous letter; a colon represents a bar or tilde over the previous letter, unless stated in the notes. ( " ) represents two dots over the previous letter. The asterisk at the end of the place-name denotes a long 's' used by the scribe within the place-name. All punctuation or lack there of is identical to the map.

The word <fiume>, river, occurs once or twice, and <fiu> occurs numerous times. It is my assumption that <fiu> is an abbreviation of <fiume>. <Ins>, insula or island, occurs also.


Seas and Oceans

 

Baleari cum mare
Ionium siue* Auso nium mare
Mare Adriaticum siue*Superum
Mare Africum
Mare Gallicum
Mare Ligusticum *
Mare Tyrrhenum, Thus cum, siue* Infernum
Sardoun mare
Siculum mare

 

Abruzzo

Place-name

Type of Place & Notes

 

Acina Town/City; Possibly Atina
Adria Town/City; Possibly modern Atri
Amiternum Town/City
Capistranü* Town/City
Cepan Town/City
Columella Town/City
Lancianum Town/City; Possibly modern Lanciano
Lucus Town/City
Motruli Town/City
Orcona Town/City; Could be modern Ortona
Orsogno * Town/City
Penne Town/City; Modern Penne
Peschera * oppi & fiu Town/City; Modern Pescara town and river.
Populi Town/City; Possibly modern Popoli
Sulmo Town/City
Theate Town/City
Tordino fiu River
Torino fiu River

 

Basilicata

Place-name

Type of Place & Notes

 

Alrauilla Town/City
Auleta Town/City
C Paliuro Cape
Casalnouo * Town/City
Castelabbate * Town/City
Castelbuzo Town/City
Castellanera * Town/City
Cocco fiu River
Contuzzo Town/City
Grauina Town/City
Leusua * ins * n Luoso* Island
m Pelosa Mountain?
Marano Town/City
Matera Town/City
Motula Town/City
Potenza Town/City
Rogiano Town/City
Scabioso Town/City
Sele fiu Peste * Town/City
Sere Town/City
Sirenussarum * prom n Capo Pisciota* Cape and Promontory
Valastra * Town/City
Vietre Town/City

 

Calabria

Place-name

Type of Place & Notes

 

Acri Town/City
Alesso* fiu S. Ioanne Town/City
Aspromonte * Town/City
Bagnaro Town/City
Beluedere Town/City
Besignaco * Town/City
Bianco Town/City
Bursano * olim Brutium Town/City
C batican Cape
C. de Bursano * Cape
C. de colonne Cape
C. de Scillo Cape
C. fuaro Cape
Calama Town/City
Calpizato Town/City
Camarda Town/City
Cãrazaro Town/City
Cariati Town/City
Castello * Town/City
Castello * fredo Town/City
Castivetere * Town/City; Could be -cere or -tere.
Cetraro Town/City
Cirilo Town/City
Colõna Town/City
Cosenza * Town/City
Crotone Town/City
Garara Town/City
Gioia Town/City
Iapiziro Town/City
Isolo * Town/City
Lapesana Town/City
Larocha Town/City
Lerose * Town/City
Locri Town/City
Lopizo Town/City
Mago Town/City
Manchia Town/City; 'c' could be 't'
Nicastro * Town/City
Nicotro Town/City
Opido Town/City
Palma Town/City
Paula Town/City
Policor Town/City
Resano * Town/City
Rhezo Town/City
Rocella Town/City
Roseto * Town/City
S Marco Town/City
S. Blasio * Town/City
S. Euphemia Town/City
Sabaris vestigia* Town/City
Scalca Town/City
Scierma Town/City
Scylaticus sinus* Unknown
Scylazo Town/City
Strongoli Town/City
Tauerna Town/City; Probably modern Averna
Trebesaio Town/City
Triontus fiu River
Turpia Town/City
Vibona Town/City

 

Campania

Place-name

Type of Place & Notes

 

Aquino Town/City
Benafri Town/City
Benasri * Town/City; Could be Benafri
Beneunuto Town/City
Bouino Town/City
C Minerua Town/City
Calirre Town/City
Calui Town/City; Calvi
Campanario Town/City
Campobaffo Town/City
Campobasso * Town/City
Capri ins * Island
Capua Town/City
Capua Town/City
Casino * Town/City; Modern Cassino
Castel * a mar Town/City
Crepacor Town/City
Eulo Town/City
Gualsto * Town/City
Guardia alferi Town/City
Gurigliano fiu River
Malfi Town/City
Mötraone Town/City
Nonciaca Town/City
Nuceria Town/City
Pozolo Island?
Racinú Town/City
Rarinú Town/City
Salerno Town/City
Sanguino Town/City
Sarnofi Town/City
Sepino Town/City
Serni Town/City; Serm?
Serra capriola Town/City
Sessa * Town/City; Modern Sessa
Surento Town/City
Telese * Town/City
Termole Town/City
Tisernus fi Unknown
Trigno Town/City
Trigno olim Tinius fi Unkown
Vulturno fi Cume Town/City

 

D. di Spoletto

Place-name

Type of Place & Notes

 

Anguilara Town/City
Capalbio Town/City
Castello * Town/City; Modern Castello
Ceri Town/City
Ciuita Town/City; Possibly modern Civita Castellana
Corneto Town/City
Cunta uedna Town/City
Fuligno Town/City; Probably modern Foligne
Gilio Island; Modern Isoa del Giglio
Gulaso Town/City; Modern Gualdo
Lamëtana Town/City
M real Town/City
M. Alto Town/City
Martu fiu River
Monte argentaro Island
Nuceria Town/City
Nursia Town/City; Probably modern Norcia
Otricula Town/City; First letter an 'O' or 'C'
Pereta ? Town/City; Not sure of spelling
Perusia Town/City; Probably modern Perugia
Pieue Town/City
Porto Hercole Town/City
Reace Town/City; Possibly modern Rieti
S Fiore Town/City
S Seuern Town/City
Schisinum * Town/City
Spoleti Town/City; Probably modern Poleto
Sutri Town/City
Telemone Town/City
Terni Town/City; Modern Terni
Todi Town/City; Modern Todi
Tripontiü Town/City
Viterbo Town/City; Modern Viterbo
Voljena Town/City
Zanara Island

 

Friuli

Place-name

Type of Place & Notes

 

Aqialegia Town/City
Baza Town/City
Caorle Ins: Island
Chiara Town/City
Concordia Town/City
Giemona Town/City; Possibly modern Gemona del Friuli
Goritia Town/City
Juliac??nico Town/City
Liuenza fiu River
Plet Town/City
Ponteba Town/City
S Mauro Town/City
Timauus fons Town/City
Tolmezo Town/City; Modern Tolmezzo
Valuassor * Town/City
Vdene Town/City; Modern Undine
Vipao Town/City

 

Istria

Place-name

Type of Place & Notes

 

Arvé Town/City; On an unnamed island in Quarner sinus *
Choslac * Town/City
Costoa * Town/City
Draga Town/City
Fiume Town/City
Justuiopolis * Town/City
Montona Town/City
Muia Town/City
Osero * Town/City; On an unnamed island in Quarner sinus *
Parenzo Town/City
Pola Town/City; Modern Pula
Ronigno Town/City
Serso * Town/City; On an unnamed island in Quarner sinus *
Vela Town/City; On an unnamed island in Quarner sinus *
Vinago Town/City

 

Latium

Place-name

Type of Place & Notes

 

Anangia Town/City
Anza Town/City; Possibly modern Anzio
Aperno Town/City
Aque foetide Town/City; The final 'e' on each word has a cedilla.
Ardea Town/City
Astura * Town/City
Castellutza * Town/City
Ceparnú Town/City
Fiorëtino Town/City
Fracta Town/City
Fundi Town/City; Modern Fondi
Gaieta Town/City; Modern Gaeta
Isola * Town/City
Möte Farzeli olim Circeius m Unknown
Ostia * Town/City
Phormię Town/City; 'e' has a cedilla
Piperno Town/City
Preneste * Town/City
Roma Town/City
S Germano Town/City
Sera Town/City
Sermineta Town/City
Spelunca Town/City
Sublaco Town/City; Modern Sublaco
Taracoso * Town/City
Terracine Town/City; Modern Terracina
Tiboli Town/City; Modern Tivoli
Volter Town/City

 

Liguria

Place-name

Type of Place & Notes

 

Albisota * Town/City
Andura Town/City
Arbenga Town/City; Possibly modern Albenga
Bonzolo Town/City
Castinous * Town/City; 'i' is questionable
Chiuari Town/City
Clue foni Unknown
Feun Town/City
Finale Town/City
Finiza Town/City; Possibly modern Fivizzano
Galo?ic Town/City; 5th letter unknown
Genua Town/City; Modern Genova
Lisano * Town/City
Luca Town/City; Modern Lucca
Macra Fi Town/City
Milion Town/City; 2nd 'i' could be another letter
Monaco Town/City; Modern Monaco. It looks like it is in Liguria.
Monigha Town/City
Noli Town/City
Pistoia * Town/City; Modern Pistoia
Pontremuli Town/City; Modern Pontremoli
Porto fino Port
Porto Mauris Port
Porto Veuere Port; 'u' could be another letter,2nd 'e' could be 'n'
Portus Lüne Port; The ü is not a bar or tilde.
Recho Town/City
Sauona Town/City; Modern Savona
Serexana Town/City; First 'e' questionable
Sextri Town/City
Specia Town/City; Modern La Spezia
Sperchio fiu River
Torilia Town/City
Vai Town/City
Verazo Town/City
XX iniglia Town/City

 

Lombardia

Place-name

Type of Place & Notes

 

Aigui Town/City
Aosta * Town/City; Modern Aosta
Arana Town/City
Ayatzo Town/City
Barda Town/City
Bella zona Town/City; Modern Bellazona in Switz.
Berga Town/City; Possibly modern Borgo
Biella Town/City; Modern Biella
Binasaro * Town/City
Bormium Town/City
Bozolengo Town/City
Brixia Town/City
Broho Town/City
Bronzo Town/City
Buffalora Town/City
Canobio Town/City
Caruesede * Town/City
Casalmaior * Town/City
Casalsanas * Town/City
Casan * Town/City
Chrem Town/City
Clauenna Town/City
Como Town/City; Modern Como
Cortemilia Town/City; Modern Cortemilia
Cremona Town/City; Modern Cremona
Crenola Town/City
Dona fiu River
Fiorenzo Town/City
Garda Town/City; Possibly Densanzano del Garda
Gera Town/City
Hos?ia * Town/City; On a fold
Incsa * Town/City
Inurea Town/City
Isoleta * Town/City
Lemasone * Town/City
Lodi Town/City; Modern Lodi
Madia Town/City
Mantua Town/City; On a map fold. Probably modern Mantova
Masox Town/City
Milan Town/City; Modern Milano
Monza Town/City; Modern Monza
n Po fiu River; North Po river?
Noasca * Town/City; Not sure of 'c'
Nouara Town/City; Modern Novara
Ors Town/City
Padus Town/City
Palenza Town/City
Pauia Town/City; Modern Pavia
Peschera * Town/City
Placenza Town/City
Pontogio Town/City
Rachouero Town/City
Romagna Town/City
S Martino Town/City
Sancia Town/City; 'c' could be 't'
Serauiale Town/City; Probably modern Serra Valle
Sexto Town/City
Stradello Town/City
Susa * Town/City; Modern Susa
Tortona Town/City; Modern Tortona
Treis Town/City
Turboh Town/City
Valenza Town/City
Vercelli Town/City; Modern Vercelli
Vogera Town/City; Modern Voghera
Yrnis Town/City

 

M Dancno

Place-name

Type of Place & Notes

 

Ancona Town/City; Modern Ancona
Ascoli * Town/City
Caghe Town/City
Camerino Town/City
Chientus fiu River
Ciuita noua Town/City; Probably modern Civitanova Marche
Fabriano Town/City; Modern Fabriano
Fano Town/City; Modern Fano
Firmana Town/City; Probably modern Fermo
Fosambruno * Town/City; Probably modern Fossombrone
Jesia * Town/City; Probably modern Jesi
Macerata Town/City; Modern Macerata
Osino * Town/City; Possibly modern Osimo
Pesaro * Town/City; Modern Pesaro
Potentia Town/City
Prolog Town/City; Could be an 'r'
Senegalia Town/City; Probably Senigallia
Serauale Town/City
Seuerino Town/City; Probably modern Severino Marche
Solia Fiume River
Teranium Town/City
Toletino Town/City
Vrbino Town/City; Modern Urbino

 

M. Treuisana

Place-name

Type of Place & Notes

 

Belun Town/City; Possibly modern Belluno
Brixello Town/City
Cadurbrio Town/City
Citadda Town/City
Coneian Town/City
Feltre Town/City
Garona Town/City
Gonia Town/City
Gorgeto Town/City; On a fold. Probably 'G'
Lignago Town/City
M real Town/City
Möce lefe Town/City
Molta Town/City
Passauia * Town/City
Perauolo Town/City
Piaue fiu River
Scala Town/City
Tel: uaia Town/City; The colon appears on the map; it does not represent a bar over the 'l'
Treiaso * Town/City
Venetia Town/City; Modern Venezia
Verona Town/City; Modern Verona
Vicëza Town/City

 

Piamonte

Place-name

Type of Place & Notes

 

Aexandria Town/City; Modern Alessandria
Alba Town/City; Modern Alba
Argëtti Town/City; Possibly modern Argentera
Aste * Town/City; Modern Asti
Canio Town/City; Possibly modern Cuneo
Chier Town/City; Probably modern Chieri
Ciuas Town/City
Cremangnola Town/City
Ergnagna Town/City
Fossano Town/City; Modern Fossano
Mond?? Town/City; On a map fold
Nole Town/City
Pauina Town/City; ' I 'and ' n ' unclear
Peirosa * Town/City; Probably modern Perosa Argentia
Ponzono Town/City
Salnze Town/City
Trino Town/City
Turin Town/City; Modern Torino (Turin)

 

Puglia

Place-name

Type of Place & Notes

 

Anaso * Town/City
Ascoli * Town/City
Barlera Town/City
Barri Town/City
Bestia * Town/City
Bitonto Town/City; Could be Bironto
Cana Town/City
Canosa * Town/City
Castel * de monre Town/City
Couersano * Town/City
Fortor Town/City
Giuuenazzo Town/City
Machia Town/City
Monopoli Town/City
Pons Aufidi Town/City
Pulignano Town/City
Roda Town/City
Rubo Town/City
S Angelo Town/City
S Felize Town/City
S Seuero Town/City
Salapia Town/City
Sarpi Town/City
Sipanto Town/City
Trani Town/City
Treminiti Island(s)?
Venosa * Town/City
Vestize Town/City
Villa noua Town/City

 

Romagna

Place-name

Type of Place & Notes

 

Adrea Town/City; Modern Adria
Ahrädula Town/City
Borze Town/City
Brondolo Town/City
Catholica Town/City; Modern Cattolica
Cauacore Town/City
Cesena * Town/City; Modern Cesena
Chioza Town/City
Comachia Premero Island; Modern Comacchio. Island in a delta
Concordia Town/City
Ferraria Town/City; Modern Ferrara
Figarolo Town/City
Florenzola Town/City; Modern Firenzuola
Forli Town/City; Modern Forli
Fornase * Island; Possibly a delta island
Goro Island; Small island in P. delaba
Imola Town/City
Lugana Town/City
Modena Town/City
Osols * Town/City; final 's' could be 'I'
P.delaba Port
Padua Town/City; Probably modern Padova
Parma Town/City; Modern Parma
Rauvenna Town/City; Modern Ravenna
Rimano Town/City; Probably modern Rimini
Tobrio Town/City
Volane Island; Possibly a delta island

 

Sardinia

Place-name

Type of Place & Notes

 

Aq: freda Town/City
Aquilastro * Town/City
Arca sancta * Town/City; 'c' could be 'e'
Archaena Town/City; Modern Arza chena
Ardena Town/City
Argentera Island ?
Arzer Town/City
Baronela Town/City
Breso * Town/City
Budelo Town/City
Callari Town/City; Modern Cagliari
Carbonare Town/City
Castel Ianque Town/City
Castelaurie Town/City
Castelferhm * Town/City
Collango Town/City
Coltelazo Island
Decemo Town/City
Faua Town/City
Girupala Town/City; 'u' could be an 'n', but looks more like 'u'
Guipí Town/City
Ileua Town/City
Lareguer Town/City
Lenti Town/City
Lilarabe Town/City
Linayre Island; Letters are somewhat faded
Lossa * Island ?
M noue Town/City
M real Town/City
m Conan Town/City
M forte Town/City
m Leon Town/City
Mamila Town/City
Mara Town/City
Marasso * Town/City
Masarga * Town/City
Maxandecra Town/City
Maxanderra Town/City
Montagno Town/City
Monte sancto * Cape
Napoli porto Town/City
Noraxio Town/City
Orexia Town/City
Osolo * Town/City; Probably modern Osilo
Penes Unknown
Pisaneo * Town/City
Posata * Town/City; Modern Posada
Puagre Town/City
Quirutaruy Town/City
Rosa * Island
S. Autoli Town/City
S. Lucia Town/City
S. Marco Island
S. Petro Island; Modern San Pietro
S. Repara Town/City
Salme Town/City
Sanguino Town/City
Sarach Town/City
Sasari * Town/City
Serpentera Island
Sols Island; Possibly modern Sant' Antioco
Sora Town/City
Soso * Town/City
Taulara Island
Tera noua Town/City
Tolar Town/City; Possibly modern Teulada
Toro Island
Tortohm Town/City
Tortolim Town/City; Probably modern Tortoli
Vaca Island
Villa pezi Town/City
Villapetres Town/City
Vleho Town/City
Vristan * Town/City

 

Sicilia

Place-name

Type of Place & Notes

 

Augusta * Town/City; Modern Augusta
Bendicari Island
Butero Town/City; Modern Butera
C. alua Cape
C. bianco Cape
C. bongerbino Cape
C. di gallo Cape
Calatagirone Town/City; Modern Caltgirone
Caltafimi Town/City
Camarana Town/City
Capizzi Town/City
Caronia Town/City
Casrre * Ioanni Town/City
Castro * a mar Island
Castro Sciso * Town/City
Catania Town/City
Chuisa * Town/City
Cisulu * olun Cephaloedis* Town/City
Didyma n Panaria Island; Probably modern Isolta Panarea
Enna Town/City
Ericusa * n Alicur Island; Possibly modern Isolta Alicudi
Euonyma Island
Faro Town/City
Fauiliana Island
Gergenti ol: Agregentum Town/City ?
Hicesia n Lisalini * Island
Isola de la magnesi* Island?
La ferra Town/City
Labruca Town/City
Lascaleta * Town/City
Leocata Town/City; Possibly modern Licata
Leontini Town/City; Probably modern Lantini
Leuenzio Island
Lilybeum prom Promintory, headland
Lipari Island; Modern Isolta Lipari
Lo Mazarino Town/City
Lomuxaro Town/City
Longhina Island
Lotydaro Town/City
M. Gibeilo Mountain
Maretamo Island
Marsala * Town/City; Probably modern Marsala
Mazara tre fontane Town/City
Messana * Town/City; Modern Messina
Modica Town/City; Modern Modica
Moeta Town/City; Possibly Motta, difficult to read
Mondello Town/City
Muntichiaro Town/City; Possibly modern Palma di Montechiaro
Musumeni * Town/City; very difficult to read
Mylazzo Town/City; Modern Milazzo
Noto Town/City
Orlando Town/City
Pachinum prom Promintory, headland
Palermo Town/City; Modern Palermo
Partana Town/City
Paterno Town/City; Modern Paterrno
Patti Town/City
Pelorum prom Promintory, headland
Petra preccia Town/City; 'Petra' difficult to read
Petralia Town/City
Phoenicusa* n Felicur Island; Possibly modern Isolta Filicudi
Plazza Town/City
Prizzi Town/City
Rachalbuto Town/City
Rachalniuco Town/City
Ragusa * Town/City; Modern Ragusa
Randaz Town/City
Sclafam Town/City
Siculiana Town/City
Sinagra Town/City
Strongila n Strochilo Island; Possibly modern Isolta Stromboli
Syracusae * Town/City; Modern Syracuse
Taormina olim Tauromenium Town/City; Possibly modern Taormina
Termini Town/City
Torreorice Town/City; 'orice' diffucult to read. Possibly modern Tortori
Traina Town/City; Probably modern Troina
Trapani Town/City
Tusu * Town/City; Difficult to read
Val de Mazara Valley
Val de Mona Valley
Val de Noto Valley
Vstica * Island; Probably modern Isolta di Ustica
Vulcano Island; Modern Isolta Vulcano
vulgo capo Pasera* Cape
Xaca Town/City

 

Terra di Ot Orõto

Place-name

Type of Place & Notes

 

Alista * Town/City
Brindeze Town/City; Final letter looks to be an 'e'.
C. de S. Maria olim Iapygium Cape
C. di pah Cape; Could be C. di pali
Celgha Town/City
Cesarta * Town/City
Cortrosiano * Town/City
Galiano Town/City
Galipoli Achotri ins.* Island; Off the coast
Grotaglia Town/City
Leze Town/City
Oira Town/City
Otronto Town/City
Petrola Town/City
Roca Town/City
S Cataldo Town/City
Salentinum prom Promintory, headland
Taranto Town/City
Terra de caualo Town/City
Volire Town/City

 

Tirolia

Place-name

Type of Place & Notes

 

Note: The name of the region is unclear on the map; the fourth and fifth letters are on a fold and the last letter appears to be 's'.

 

Bolzan Town/City
Brixen Town/City
Brunec Town/City
Chiusa * Town/City
Ghire??z Town/City; On a fold
Ltenis Town/City; ' t ' could be another letter
Mara ? Town/City; On a fold. Possibly modern Merano
Niderdol Town/City
O??do Town/City; On a fold
Tippen Town/City; Probably 'N'; partially covered by ink
Velinsberg * Town/City; Or Vehnsburg

 

Toscana

Place-name

Type of Place & Notes

 

Arezo Town/City; Modern Arezzo
Arno fiu River; Modern Arno river
Asciano * Town/City; Difficult to read. Probably modern Asciano.
Bibiena Town/City
Borgo Town/City
Casciglioni * Town/City
Cortona Town/City; Modern Cortona
Diecamano Town/City
Empoli Town/City; Modern Empoli
Eugutio Town/City
Fiesola * Town/City; Possibly another spelling
Florenza Town/City; Modern Firenze (Florence)
Gorgona Island
Groseto * Town/City; Modern Grosseto
Lari Town/City; On a fold in map.
Liuorno Town/City
Lucignano Town/City
M Fulchiano Mountain; Modern Montefalchion
Massa * Town/City; Possibly modern Massa Marittima
Meloriao Island
mmassi * Town/City
Möte Varchi Town/City
Ombrone fiu River; Modern Ombrone river
Piombino Town/City; Modern Piombino
Pisa * Town/City; Modern Pisa
Ponte?n? Town/City; Probably modern Pontedera, but unsure of spelling
Porto barto Town/City
Prato Town/City
S Geminiano Town/City; modern San Gimignano
Scarparia Town/City
Siena Town/City; Modern Siena
Troia Island; Unsure of spelling
Vada Town/City
Voltera Town/City; On a fold in map. Probably modern Volterra



 

Sources

Mercator's 1554 map facsimile of Italia. Walking Tree Press, 1998. (541) 744-1773.

Readers Digest Atlas of The World, Joseph Gardner, editor. ISBN 0-89577-264-7, 1991

Cassell's Italian Dictionary, Macmillan Press. ed. P. Rebora, F. M Guerico, and A. L. Hayward, 1977. ISBN 0-02-522540-5.

 


 

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