Viage de la Catholica Real Magestad del Rei D. Filipe III N. S. al Reino de Portugal i relacion del solene recebimiento que en el se le hizo

The most famous work by the Portuguese engineer, mathematician, cosmographer, and chronicler João Baptista Lavanha (ca. 1550–1624) was published in 1622 by Thomas Junti’s printing house in Madrid. Its title translates into English as: Journey of the Catholic Royal Majesty of King Philip III N. to the Kingdom of Portugal and Account of His Solemn Reception. The journey that the title refers to was made in 1619 by King Philip III of Spain (1578–1621), whose father had joined the crowns of Spain and Portugal in 1581, making him simultaneously Philip II of Portugal. Apparently, the King undertook the grand tour against the advice of his counselors. He was accompanied by the Prince of Asturias, the future Philip IV (1605–1665). The work is an example of a typical visiting list recording the official stopovers of monarchs or other important people in various cities. Lavanha included short introductions for each location including geographic and historic information. This text is accompanied by detailed Baroque engravings, including a splendid frontispiece, that are mostly of an architectural nature, including 14 so-called “Arch de triomphe”, which were the product of the Flemish engraver Juan Schorquen (active 1618–30). This is a truly fascinating historical artifact of life on the Iberian Peninsula in the 17th century.