An original 1970's vintage print from a golden age of maritime art.
A Masterpiece of the Seas: Discovering the "Seefahrt-Tafel" at Arbek Travel
Marmaris is a town where the wind carries the scent of salt and the horizon is always dotted with masts. At Arbek Travel, our passion for the sea isn’t just about the tours we organize; it is part of our DNA.
Today, we want to share a special story about a piece of maritime history that resides right here in our office: the legendary "Seefahrt-Tafel" (The Maritime Chart).
More Than Just a Poster: A Technical Marvel
If you’ve visited our office in Marmaris, you’ve likely noticed a large, intricate chart framed on our wall. This is not a mere decoration; it is a world-renowned educational masterpiece created by the famous Swedish design studio III Tre Tryckare and published by the prestigious German house Delius, Klasing & Co.
Dating back to the golden era of maritime illustration (circa 1960s-70s), this chart is a comprehensive encyclopedia condensed into a single visual experience.
What Makes This Piece Unique?
The "Seefahrt-Tafel" tells the story of humanity’s relationship with the ocean through several detailed sections:
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The Evolution of Ships: From the ancient galleons of explorers like Magellan and Columbus to the massive 5-masted "Windjammers" and modern cargo vessels.
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The Science of the Sea: It details the intricacies of navigation, from traditional compasses and sextants to the complex knots used by sailors for centuries.
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The Art of Fishing: A fascinating section (written in German) explains the mechanics of Treibnetz (drift nets), showing how mesh sizes were scientifically calculated to protect marine ecosystems—a precursor to modern sustainable fishing.
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A Philosophy to Live By: Encircling the title is the famous Latin proverb: "Navigare Necesse Est, Vivere Non Est Necesse"—meaning, "To sail is necessary; to live is not." It perfectly captures the daring spirit of the sailors who mapped our world.
The Arbek Travel Heritage
As Arbek Travel – Marmaris, we take immense pride in being the custodians of this rare find. To us, this chart represents the precision, history, and adventurous spirit that we bring to every travel experience we curate for our guests.
The detailed lines drawn by the Swedish masters at Tre Tryckare remind us that in travel, as in sailing, details matter. Whether we are guiding you through the turquoise coves of the Aegean or organizing your next land adventure, we carry this same "navigator’s discipline."
Visit Us in Marmaris
We believe that travel is about the stories we tell and the history we preserve. The next time you are in Marmaris, stop by the Arbek Travel office. We’d be delighted to show you the "Seefahrt-Tafel" in person and help you plan your next great voyage.
Fair winds and following seas!
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"Deepen Your Journey"
Delius Klasing Verlag: The official website of the prestigious German publishing house that produced this chart. Since 1911, they have been Europe’s leading voice in maritime and technical publishing.
The Lore of Ships (Tre Tryckare): Learn about the legendary Swedish design studio, Tre Tryckare, whose meticulous illustrations revolutionized maritime art and produced the world-renowned "Lore of Ships" encyclopedia.
National Maritime Museum (Greenwich): For those interested in the explorers and vessel types featured on our chart, such as Magellan and the classic Galleons, this is the world's largest museum of its kind.
The "Navigare Necesse Est" Philosophy: A deep dive into the origin and meaning of the Latin motto displayed on the Seefahrt-Tafel, reflecting the eternal spirit of seafaring.
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A Special Note of Gratitude
We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Aycan Önen for gifting this extraordinary piece of maritime history to Arbek Travel. This masterpiece is not only a decoration but a symbol of our shared passion for the seas.
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A Vintage Treasure from the 1970s > This specific edition of the Seefahrt-Tafel dates back to the early 1970s. Published under the ISBN 3-7688-0099-7, it represents a period when German printing precision and Swedish artistic mastery reached their peak, making it a rare collector's item today.



