OldMapsOnline allows you to browse thousands of historical maps from around the world - quickly, easily and online.
OldMapsOnline is a global search platform for discovering and exploring historical maps from libraries and archives worldwide. By connecting historical cartography with modern geography, it enables intuitive exploration of the past through space and time.
High-resolution historical maps indexed across continents and centuries.
Partner libraries, universities, and cultural institutions worldwide.
Monthly users including researchers, students, and history enthusiasts.
Founded at the New York Public Library as a research-driven project.
Established in 2012, OldMapsOnline was created through collaboration between Petr Přidal and his team,the University of Portsmouth, and a growing international network of partners. The goal is to make historical cartography accessible to everyone, regardless of location or affiliation.
Discover maps by zooming or panning directly on an interactive world map.
Refine your search by specific years or historical periods using a timeline slider.
See how places changed over time by comparing historical maps with modern maps.
OldMapsOnline provides a sophisticated suite of tools designed for deep historical exploration. From AI-driven relevance ranking to precise geographic alignment, these features bridge the gap between archival cartography and modern geospatial analysis, enabling researchers and hobbyists to see the world as it once was.
Historical archives can be vast and difficult to navigate. OldMapsOnline simplifies this with search tools that prioritize relevance and metadata richness, ensuring that you find precisely what you need for your specific location or era.
Search by location, institution, and rich metadata to find maps from specific collections or time periods.
A proprietary ranking system that highlights the most geographically and historically relevant results for your query.
Ensures the best map is already aligned with your view, zoom level, and selected time—instantly ready to explore.
Instantly discover maps based on geographic coordinates, allowing for precise spatial research.
The true power of digital cartography lies in comparison. By aligning historical maps with modern geography, users can visualize urban development, environmental changes, and the shifting boundaries of human history.
This tool allows users to overlay historical maps directly onto modern maps. It reveals how landscapes have evolved, from the growth of city centers to the changing paths of rivers.
Explore historical maps in three dimensions or overlay them onto the real world using augmented reality. Gain a deeper understanding of terrain, elevation, and spatial context through immersive comparison.
Precisely align historical maps with modern geography by matching reference points. This creates an accurate spatial layer that allows reliable comparison across time.
OldMapsOnline integrates seamlessly into professional research workflows. Access maps on mobile devices in the field or connect them to external tools through standardized export formats and web services.
OldMapsOnline makes historical maps accessible to everyone, allowing users to explore and view maps directly on the platform while preserving the original archival layout and context. It is a vital resource used by researchers, educators, historians, and curious explorers worldwide to uncover the stories of our world.
OldMapsOnline thrives on the efforts of history enthusiasts. Through collaborative features, users help align historical maps with modern geography, expanding shared knowledge for everyone.
Beyond individual maps, TimeMap.org lets you explore history as a living timeline. Geography and time come together in an interactive map view that reveals how regions, borders, and societies have evolved across centuries.
Explore how regions and territories have changed over time, from ancient provinces to modern states.
Follow the reigns of kings, emperors, and leaders and see how their power shaped geography and borders.
Discover influential historical figures and trace their lives and movements across time and place.
Explore major battles and conflicts and see how they reshaped regions, borders, and history.
Order museum-quality prints of any map in the collection. These physical pieces allow you to display historical cartography in your home or office.
Choose from a variety of framing options to match your decor style, from classic solid wood to sleek modern aluminum.
OldMapsOnline is open to everyone. Support the project to unlock additional features and help keep the platform growing.
Compare historical maps to see changes over time, and use the transparency slider to easily compare with modern maps.
Check out old maps of your location, search by name, or zoom and pan to find relevant maps instantly!
Step into the past with Augmented Reality! Overlay historical maps on your surroundings for a fun, interactive experience.
Compare historical maps to see changes over time, and use the transparency slider to easily compare with modern maps
Check out old maps of your location, search by name, or zoom and pan to find relevant maps instantly!
Step into the past with Augmented Reality! Overlay historical maps on your surroundings for a fun, interactive experience.
OldMapsOnline collaborates with libraries, archives, and cultural institutions globally to provide access to high-quality historical map collections. By enriching archival scans with reliable metadata and institutional context, we bridge the gap between physical archives and global digital access.
Our platform provides the technical infrastructure needed to transform static images into interactive spatial data. Institutions can leverage cutting-edge tools to support cataloging and seamless integration into modern research workflows.
Tools to align historical map scans with real-world geography, enabling location-based discovery and spatial analysis.
Connect map collections to external platforms through widely adopted web and image service standards.
Support for rich descriptive and spatial metadata ensures long-term discoverability, consistency, and academic use.
Institutions remain the authoritative source for their collections. OldMapsOnline increases discoverability while preserving institutional ownership, attribution, and curatorial intent.
Stanford University's renowned collection focused on rare 18th and 19th-century North and South American maps.
One of the world's most significant map collections, featuring over 4.5 million items from every corner of the globe.
The premier collection for Scottish cartography, featuring detailed topographic and municipal plans.
OldMapsOnline is more than a search engine; it is an educational gateway. By providing a single entry point to millions of geographic data points, we empower historians, students, and explorers to discover stories hidden in the archives.
