This study aims to show, while making use of several new approaches, that medieval ideas survived in the cartography of the sixteenth century. The analysis is not only based on the mediaeval genre of the mappae mundi, but also on descriptive geographical texts. Since many descriptiones orbis can be considered as world maps in written form, it is important to take into account their meaning within the textual context where they appear, and to estimate the correspondences and the divergences that can be noticed between the two types of representation. On the other hand, even if the discovery of the New World introduced without any doubt important changes, the influence of the description of the mediaeval orbis tripartitus remains perceptible during the sixteenth century. Finally, as far as the relation between the figures and texts on the maps themselves is concerned, where traditionally the sixteenth century is identified as the birth of scientific cartography, this study makes clear that medieval mirabilia (exotic animals and monstrous races) survive well beyond the traditional boundaries of the Middle Ages, and so do the representations of two world rulers, Alexander the Great and Prester John. It follows from this richly documented study that pre-modern maps as the medieval mappae mundi were, in an undividable way, at the same time scientific instruments, as well as documents that are open to allegorical meditations.