Waze for the 16th-Century Believer: The Map That Showed the Right Path, Not the Shortest
- Nir Topper
- 4 hours ago
- 3 min read
In the 16th century, an era defined by great geographical discoveries, the German theologian Heinrich Bünting published his "Clover Leaf Map" (1581) as part of his book Itinerarium Sacrae Scripturae (Travel through Holy Scripture). Unlike maps based solely on physical measurements, Bünting created a "moral map" where geography was subordinate to theology. It was designed for spiritual navigation, placing Jerusalem at the center of the world—a point where a location’s importance was determined by its religious significance. The map depicts the world in the shape of a clover, referencing the Holy Trinity and serving as a tribute to Bünting’s birthplace, as he himself described: “The emblem of the city of Hanover, my beloved homeland.”
According to "Bünting’s Map," Jerusalem stands at the Umbilicus Mundi (the Navel of the World), at the meeting point of the three clover leaves. This placement did not stem from geographical ignorance—as Bünting was well-acquainted with the accurate maps of his time—but rather from a conscious choice to present the world as perceived through the eyes of a believer: as a space where human and religious history converge. The city itself is depicted in a medieval style with walls and towers, inspired by the German cities familiar to Bünting.
Each leaf represents a continent of the "Old World": Europe (red), Asia (green), and Africa (yellow), including details of major cities such as Rome, Damascus, and Alexandria. The continent of America, the "New World," does appear on the map, but it is pushed into the lower-left corner and does not form part of the clover structure. Scholars interpret that Bünting chose to exclude it from the central structure because it was not mentioned in the Holy Scriptures and was not considered part of the Oecumene (the inhabited world) divided among the three sons of Noah. For him, America was an "external" and foreign space that did not fit into the biblical theological harmony, while the surrounding oceans are illustrated with sea monsters, reflecting the fears of the era regarding the unknown.
Bünting’s figurative approach is also evident in other maps he published, where continents were shaped as mythological figures: Europe as a majestic woman (Europa in Forma Virginis) and Asia as the winged horse Pegasus, with the Holy Land located in the horse's chest area.
Today, Jerusalem remains the ideal place to experience the map. Original copies are preserved in the Eran Laor Cartographic Collection at the National Library of Israel, and the map is also commemorated in public spaces: a mosaic model in Safra Square and another model in Teddy Park, at the foot of the Old City walls near Jaffa Gate.
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Bünting’s map remains a fascinating testament to an era when cartography served as a bridge to the history of human thought. It offers a different kind of accuracy—the accuracy of the soul and faith—reminding us that the center of the world is often determined by values and culture, rather than just geographical data. Its presence in modern Jerusalem emphasizes its enduring power as a symbol of the human ability to pour meaning and sanctity into the outlines of the globe.
Image 1: The Clover Leaf Map – Bünting Map, 1581. Source: The National Library of Israel - https://www.nli.org.il/he/maps/NNL_ALEPH990023684090205171/NLI#$FL7074006
Image 2: Bünting’s Map displayed at Safra Square, Jerusalem. Photo: Nir Topper.
Image 3: Bünting’s Map of Europe: Europa Prima Pars Terrae in Forma Virginis. Source: Heinrich Bünting, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
Image 4: Bünting’s Map of Africa: Bünting Africa Tertia Pars Terrae 1580 UTA. Source: Heinrich Bünting, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
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