Matthaus Merian began publishing the 'Theatrum Europaeum' in 1633, it was not finished until 1738 by which time 21 volumes had been issued including some 20,000 pages of text, 720 maps, plans, views and other engravings and nearly 700 portraits. The fine view depicts the town of Sion in Switzerland. The town in dominated by the Chateau de Tourbillon on top of the left hand peak and the Bailique de Valere to the right.