Original antique view of Belgrad (now modern day Belgrade), by Johann Hoffmann and Gabriel Bodenhr and published in 1689, immediately following the historic Siege of Belgrade in September 1688. Belgrade was dominated by Ottoman mosques and minarets for over 150 years. However, in September 1688, the Holy Roman Empire (Austrian forces) captured the city. They immediately tore down the minarets, converted the mosques into Christian churches, and built Western European-style pitched-roof stone quarters and military barracks. This print is a celebratory "Victory View" showing Belgrade newly reconstructed as a Christian European stronghold, printed right before the Ottomans recaptured it in late 1690.
A "Danube Tschaike" (River Warship) is shown with a single large sail and a prominent wooden cabin structure. These highly specialized river-warships were used exclusively on the Danube and Sava rivers during the 17th century.The "large cabin structure" at the back or centre housed the officers and protected the crew from gunfire.The single mast was lowered during battle, and the ship would switch to heavy rowing oars to navigate the strong river currents around the Belgrade fortress cliffs.
The initials at the bopttom left H B H H stand for:-
Hermannus Bodenehr [sculpsit], Hohann Hoffmann [excudit]
(Hermann Bodenehr engraved it, Johann Hoffmann published it)
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