A superbly detailed and decorative birds-eye plan of this Ratzeburg in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. The town is surrounded by two lakes and is reached by an isthmus. It is situated just to the south of Lubeck. This example was first published in the first edition of the very rare fifth volume of the ‘Civitates Orbis Terrarum’ with Latin text issued in 1598. Compiled by George Braun (1541-1622) the Canon of Cologne Cathedral. Braun produced a total of over 500 city views and maps published in six parts between 1572 and 1617. Most of the engraving was the work of Simon Novellanus and Frans Hogenberg (1535-1590), many after drawings by George Hoefnagel. This one is signed by Gerdt Hane and dated 1588. Koeman II B & H 5 no. 43; Van der Krogt 4, 3521.