---
title: Map of the Spread of the Plague in Europe, 1346 - 1353
author: Simeon Netchev
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/12038/map-of-the-spread-of-the-plague-in-europe-1346---1/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0)
updated: 2025-09-29
---

# Map of the Spread of the Plague in Europe, 1346 - 1353

_Authored by [Simeon Netchev](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/simeonnetchev/)_

## Image File

[![Map of the Spread of the Plague in Europe, 1346 - 1353](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/12038.png)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/12038.png)

## Image Caption

This map illustrates the spread of the 14th-century [plague](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/plague/) pandemic, the “Black [Death](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Death/),” which swept across [Europe](https://www.worldhistory.org/europe/) and the Middle East between 1346 and 1353. Originating in Central Asia, it traveled on merchant vessels carrying grain and furs from the Italian Black Sea colonies of Kaffa and Tana, moving rapidly along dense and interwoven sea and land [trade](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/trade/) routes to reach nearly every corner of the continent in just a few years.

Carried by fleas on black rats, the causative bacterium Yersinia pestis spread with devastating speed, striking ports like Messina in 1347, [Paris](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/paris/) in 1348, and London in 1349. This was the second great pandemic after the 541–549 outbreak during the reign of Emperor Justinian. Mortality rates varied, but the [Black Death](https://www.worldhistory.org/Black_Death/) is estimated to have killed 25 million people, about a third of Europe’s population, bringing lasting social, economic, and cultural upheaval, from acute labor shortages to challenges to religious and political authority.

#### Editorial Review

This human-authored image has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/).

## About the Author

Simeon is a freelance visual designer and history educator, passionate about the human stories that shape the past.
- [Linkedin Profile](https://www.linkedin.com/in/simeon-netchev/)

## External Links

- [Medieval Trade Routes Map](https://easyzoom.com/image/218139)

## Cite This Work

### APA
Netchev, S. (2020, March 22). Map of the Spread of the Plague in Europe, 1346 - 1353. *World History Encyclopedia*. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/12038/map-of-the-spread-of-the-plague-in-europe-1346---1/>
### Chicago
Netchev, Simeon. "Map of the Spread of the Plague in Europe, 1346 - 1353." *World History Encyclopedia*, March 22, 2020. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/12038/map-of-the-spread-of-the-plague-in-europe-1346---1/>.
### MLA
Netchev, Simeon. "Map of the Spread of the Plague in Europe, 1346 - 1353." *World History Encyclopedia*, 22 Mar 2020, <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/12038/map-of-the-spread-of-the-plague-in-europe-1346---1/>.

## License & Copyright

Submitted by [Simeon Netchev](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/simeonnetchev/ "User Page: Simeon Netchev"), published on 22 March 2020. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0deed.en). This licence only allows others to download this content and share it with others as long as the author is credited, but they can't change the content in any way or use it commercially. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.