Explore 5,000 Years of Literature on One Epic Map
What Is the Map of the Literature?
The Map of the Literature is a large, museum-grade poster that transforms 5,000 years of literary history into one breathtaking visual experience. It charts how literary movements and genres emerged, spread, and influenced each other - mapped into one intricate, unified world. Designed in a grand Beaux-Arts style with a hint of Baroque, the map blends art and information at a scale never seen before. More than a decorative piece, it turns your wall into a world you can explore and learn from.
How to read the map?
It All Starts in the Center
The journey begins with the world’s oldest literature - Sumerian tablets and ancient myths. From this core, it spirals outward through time, tracing 5,000 years of literary evolution across movements, genres, and centuries.
Five Literary Continents
The map is split into five main regions, each representing a major literary form: Prose, Poetry, Drama, Non-Fiction, and Graphic. Each form has its own massive continent, filled with genres, authors, and works.
Genres Become Landscapes
Within each continent, genres unfold like islands, valleys and regions. From Fantasy and Romance to Realism and Horror, each area shows how genres and movements formed and overlapped - shaping entire literary civilizations.
Authors rule the land
Major authors form their own countries, with their greatest works marked as cities. From Shakespeare to Austen, Tolkien to Orwell - you’ll see how writers left their mark in the literary world.
For the most detailed and comprehensive description of the map, visit this article written by the artist himself.
The Map of the Literature was created by Martin Vargic, a self-taught Slovak artist known for his intricate and imaginative maps. It was entirely hand-drawn - no AI, no shortcuts - blending traditional cartography with modern literary data to create something truly timeless.
What started as a personal fascination became a months-long journey of research, illustration, and storytelling - charting entire history of literature in a way the world has never seen.
A portion of every map sale supports Martin directly, so he can keep making the impossible real.
"After months of hard work and many sleepless nights, I am very grateful to present you the finished Map of the Literature."
— Martin Vargic
Here are just a few literary lands you'll find…
Click on any + button bellow to explore details.
Ancient Origins
Location: At the very center - where Sumerian tablets, Egyptian myths, and sacred texts first gave shape to the written word.
Shakespear's Empire
Location: Within the Drama continent, near the Straits of Gutenberg. This is the map’s largest realm, where over 30 plays reshaped the course of theater and storytelling.
Existential Realms
Location: East of the Non-Fiction continent, where modern thought takes shape. Here, you’ll find Nietzsche, Marx, Camus, and Sartre debating freedom, morality, and the meaning of existence.
Austen vs. Brontë
Location: Along the border of Romanticism and Realism. Here, Austen’s sharp social satire meets the Brontës’ stormy emotion and drama.
Classic Russian Titans
Location: South of Realism, near the shores of Naturalism - Tolstoy, Dostoyevsky, and Gogol wrestle with morality, fate, and the soul.
Birth of SCI-FI & Mystery
Location: Where Romanticism ends and genre fiction begins - Mystery, Sci-Fi, and Adventure emerge, from detectives to distant galaxies.
Fantasy Kingdoms
Location: In the northwest corner of the Prose continent, surrounding the Sea of Chosen Ones. Tolkien, Riordan, and Rowling reign over lands filled with legends and magic.
Global Literature Insights
Location: Along the map’s outer edge. This area offers a broader view of the literary world, with data on publishing, public libraries, bestselling books, and celebrated authors.
Now it's your turn to explore it.
Here’s what it looks like when book lovers discover the map...
Reading essentials
"so yeah, you could literally get lost in “austenland,” climb the epic poetry mountains, or take a vacation in WillShakes lands (just, beware of tragic endings).
if you could live in any literary land, where would you set up camp?"
By: @ananascanread (144K followers)
@JulesBurt
“Finding the perfect gift for book lovers is tough...”
@bookmarked.by.jordy
“My family and I have had so much fun just exploring this map...”
@SFRetirementLibrary
“It's not just an amazing piece of art, it's also a huge amount of information...”
@wanderreadings
“A new essential for any home library...”
@warnocksbooks
“The Map of Literature is amazing! I could spend hours looking at this!”
@lit.by.adam
“I’m completely speechless at how beautiful and detailed this map is.”
@posiesandpages
“Normally maps and I don't go well together but this is definitely an exception.”
@blossomingthroughbooks
“The bookish girls treasure map ✨”
@classic.literature.love
“This map fits so perfectly in my library and I just love how unique it is.”
@ananascanread
“Warning: may cause spontaneous wikipedia spirals and bookshelf rearrangements.”
For readers, writers, and scholars alike, this mappa mundi is more than decoration — it is a must-have for any bibliophile.
The result is a dazzling piece, one that rewards visiting and searching to discover favorite authors and works...
The Map of Literature combines centuries of books and poems in one gorgeous illustration...
Book nerds should appreciate his comprehensiveness.
Give them the whole literary universe. Map of the Literature is an ultimate gift for book lovers, teachers, students, and collectors. It’s surprising, original, and guaranteed to be something they’ve never seen before.
Popular questions
Still have questions about materials, shipping, or framing?
You can view full product details or browse the complete FAQ page for everything else
We currently offer two sizes:
• 31 × 35 inches (78 × 90 cm)
• 40 × 45 inches (100 × 115 cm) - recommended
Yes! You can choose from a selection of ready-to-hang frames on the product page.
We also offer the map rolled and unframed for those who prefer custom framing or want more flexibly.
Yes. This is the 2025 Edition, featuring new additions and corrections based on the latest literary research.
No — the Map of the Literature is available exclusively here on Titan Maps. You won’t find it in stores or on other websites.
No — we don’t sell the digital files separately.
But every order of the Map of the Literature poster includes a Digital Companion Pack with:
– A full-resolution artwork file (with a light watermark)
– An exclusive wallpaper set for phones and computers.
Yes! We ship almost everywhere in the world, with fast and secure tracked delivery.
Please note: we currently do not ship to Russia, Belarus, India, P.O. boxes, military bases, or certain very remote locations.
Once you place your order, you can expect delivery within:
• 3 – 9 business days for rolled prints (worldwide)
• 4 – 12 business days for framed prints (worldwide)
Express shipping is available.
Framed posters are shipped in protective bubble wrap and durable cardboard.
Print-only posters are wrapped in tissue paper and rolled into durable shipping tubes.
Turn your wall into a haven for book lovers.