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Depicted circa 1750, this bird's-eye view of Marseille provides a detailed visual account of the city's maritime and architectural landscape during the mid-18th century.
Central to this engraving is the city's bustling harbor, densely populated with ships of varying sizes, indicating the intense maritime activity characteristic of Marseille. The vast expanse of the Mediterranean Sea, subtly represented in the background, underscores the port's geographic importance.
Architecturally, the cityscape is distinguished by several notable landmarks. The Old Port (Vieux-Port) is unmistakably portrayed as the heart of maritime activities, its quays teeming with merchants, sailors, and local populace. Adjacently, the Fort Saint-Nicolas and Fort Saint-Jean, the two sentinel fortifications guarding the entrance to the port, are prominently depicted, reflecting their strategic importance. The multiple steeples and towers piercing the skyline likely represent significant religious and civic buildings of the period, such as the Marseille Cathedral and the Hôtel de Ville (City Hall).
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