In the 1st session of the 1st cycle of Dialogues between literature and science: the measurement and representation of the world, Lluís Reales, scientific journalist, interview Ramon J. Pujades, an expert in portolan charts and member of GEHC, from whom we have extracted some interesting notes:

The portolan chart or “navigation chart” was designed to serve as a navigation tool, but would end up revolutionizing the whole way of perceiving, representing and managing the space of societies …

…the Catalan culture transformed it (the models of north-western Italy) into an own product…

The Catalan charts came to be sold in places as far away as Alexandria or Flanders…

… monumental maps, beautifully decorated with great abundance of gold and miniature … the famous Catalan Atlas of 1375, elaborated by the Mallorcan Jewish Cresques Abraham, was given by the infant John (future John I) to the king of France.

…news extracted from the narration of Marco Polo

Gabriel de Vallseca (1449) introduced the signal tower (Torre del Farrell) on Montjuïc mountain as a distinctive element.

The session will take place next Thursday, November 7, at 7:00 pm, at the Archivo de la Corona de Aragón (Palacio de los Virreyes; Carrer dels Comtes, 2; Barcelona).

The entrance is free with pre-inscription to direccion_aff.barcelona@correo.gob.es