Description
Book SynopsisJohann Michael Wansleben’s Travels in Turkey, 1673–1676 is a hitherto unpublished version of a remarkable description of Istanbul, Izmir, and Bursa by the German scholar traveller Wansleben. Wansleben was in the Ottoman Empire to buy manuscripts, statuary, and curios for the French king, but it is his off-hand observations about Ottoman society that often make Wansleben’s account such a valuable historical source. His experiences add to our knowledge of such diverse topics as prostitution in the Ottoman Empire, taxation, and the French consular system. His visit to Bursa is also noteworthy because few Western travellers included the first Ottoman capital in their tours of the East or described it at such length.
Table of ContentsContents Acknowledgements Illustrations Abbreviations Introduction 1 The Turkish Journal Appendix 1: Haraç Collection in Istanbul Appendix 2: Prostitution in Izmir Appendix 3: Protocol and Precedence Appendix 4: The Monetary System Appendix 5: Jean Foy-Vaillant’s Description of Bursa, 1670 Appendix 6: Westerners Entering Mosques in Istanbul Bibliography Index
