CARTA MARINA – The World's Most Famous Map of the Nordic Region

When Olaus Magnus published Carta Marina in 1539, it was the most detailed map of the Nordic countries ever created. The map was based not on precise measurements but on sailors' accounts.

As a result, coastlines and islands were sometimes misplaced or distorted. For example, Blå Jungfrun is not shown in its actual location but further east in the Kalmar Strait. Rather than placing every island accurately, the cartographer´s priority wasto show that they existed and were well known.

The mysterious Blå Jungfrun off Byxelkrok

During the Middle Ages and well into the 1700th century, Blå Jungfrun had a reputation as a dangerous and supernatural place. Sailors told tales of strange lights, storms and unexplained events around the island. Many believed that witches gathered there for nocturnal meetings, and several seafarers avoided landing there for fear of misfortune.

Carta Marina is famous for its sea monsters and other mythical creatures. These reflect the period's views of the sea – a place where reality and legend existed side by side.

Today we know that Blå Jungfrun is a unique island with dramatic nature and a rich cultural heritage, but its legendary history continues to captivate visitors from around the world.

Byxelkrok

Byxelkrok is not mentioned on maps from the 1500s. However, nearby places such as Böda appear on early maps.

The map is not an excerpt from Carta Marina, but an illustration inspired by 16th-century maps of the Nordic region