As an illustrator, few things excite me as much as creating maps for novels. One of my latest commissions was a Hernán Cortés route map for El sueño de la serpiente (The Dream of the Serpent), the new novel by Jordi Canga. It is a historical thriller that weaves past and present together, and it gave me the chance to immerse myself in one of the most fascinating episodes in history: Hernán Cortés’s route to Tenochtitlan.
When I received the project, I knew it was not just a decorative illustration. Maps in literature are much more than visual companions: they are doorways into worlds that no longer exist but that readers can still travel with their eyes. Here, the challenge was to translate a journey of epic proportions, Cortés’s expedition from the coast of the Gulf of Mexico to the great Mexica city, into a format that was useful, evocative and narrative at the same time.
The novel behind the map
Hernán Cortés route map
Before talking about the illustration, it helps to understand the story behind it. El sueño de la serpiente takes us from the misty mountains of Asturias to the remains of the Mexica empire, in a plot that mixes archaeology, conspiracies and deep emotions. A father and daughter, Carlos and Roma, pursue a hidden legacy in which the past has the power to redefine the future.
With that background, the map could not be a mere geographic diagram. It had to convey the scale of the journey and the tension of the conquest while inviting readers to follow in the protagonists’ footsteps.
The historical route of Hernán Cortés
In 1519, Hernán Cortés landed on the Gulf coast of Mexico, where he founded Villa Rica de la Vera Cruz. From there, the expedition headed inland, through Cempoala, Tlaxcala and Cholula, and crossed the mountains between the great volcanoes before reaching Tenochtitlan in November of that year. It was a long, hard march that changed the history of two continents, and it is the backbone of this Hernán Cortés route map.
Building the Hernán Cortés route map
For this project I designed two versions: one in black and white and one in colour. Both show the same route but serve different uses, from the interior pages of the book to promotion and other formats.
In both cases, my aim as a map illustrator was to create a piece that was legible, attractive and true to the spirit of the book. It is not just about placing names and places, but about inviting readers to travel with their eyes.
Every element is designed to balance historical accuracy and narrative power. The result is an illustration that works as a guide and as an evocation, helping readers place themselves in the journey.
The value of maps in storytelling
I have always believed that maps in literature play a double role. On the one hand, they offer orientation, helping readers follow the plot and understand the movements of the characters. On the other, they spark the imagination and become narrative objects in their own right.
In El sueño de la serpiente, the map works as a bridge between the novel’s two timelines. Readers can see how Cortés’s past overlaps with the protagonists’ present, creating a visual connection that strengthens the story. Read more in my guide What is an illustrated map.
A personal reflection
As an illustrator, I love working on projects where historical research and creativity go hand in hand. This map allowed me to combine rigorous research with artistic freedom, something I consider essential in my work.
Every stroke was designed to be faithful to the spirit of the book while adding my own voice. The result is not just a complement to the novel but a piece that stands on its own, inviting readers to explore a world that no longer exists but lives on in collective memory.
Need a historical map for your book?
If you are a writer or a publisher looking for a map illustrator, interior illustrations or book covers that raise your readers’ experience, I would be happy to collaborate on your project. Take a look at other historical maps such as the Kingdom of Granada map or my map illustration page. Maps are more than drawings: they are silent storytellers that enrich stories.
Get in touch and let’s give your next book a unique illustration that captures readers from the first page.
