This image shows a 16th-century hand-colored copperplate engraving of Sion, Switzerland (historically known by its German name Sitten and Latin name Sedunum). The panoramic view comes from the famous city atlas Civitates Orbis Terrarum, created by Georg Braun and Frans Hogenberg starting in 1572.

Key Features Depicted

• Tourbillon Castle: The ruins sit atop the steep hill on the left.

• Valère Basilica: The fortified church occupies the right hill, home to one of the world's oldest playable organs.

• Walled Old Town: The medieval fortified city is nestled safely below both hills.

• Latin Inscription: The upper-right box states "SEDVNVM, primaria & metropolitica Valesiae urbs..." (Sion, the primary and metropolitan city of Valais).

From the estate of a Vassar professor, very well preserved measures approximately 10x12