Exhibitions: Exposition “Imaginary Creatures on Old Maps. Legends and Reality” mounted in the National Library of Russia

On December 24, 2018 the Maps Department of the National Library of Russia (St. Petersburg) staged the exhibition “Imaginary Creatures on Old Maps. Legends and Reality”.

The exhibition showcases maps from the Middle Ages to the Age of Enlightenment, which feature numerous images of very unusual creatures. Visitors will see intricate combinations of reality and fantasy. Ziphius, Hroshvalur, Staukul and other monsters of sea and land shown on maps originated from the stories of experienced sailors, bestiaries, treatises of ancient and medieval scholars. Some strange creatures were even mentioned in the Bible.

The exposition will be on until February 28, 2019.