Travelogue Dossier
Travels in body are always also travels in mind. In our Orient-Occident Travelogue dossier, we take a look at the way the self and the other were perceived during the Middle Ages, the age of colonialism, up until today.
Travels in body are always also travels in mind. In our Orient-Occident Travelogue dossier, we take a look at the way the self and the other were perceived during the Middle Ages, the age of colonialism, up until today.
The Barbarians of the North
During the Middle Ages, hardly any Arabs traveled to Europe – the region simply had nothing to offer. Those who did travel north, however, complained about the "raw" and "animal-like" behavior of the "Francs" – and about their lack of culture. By Mona Naggar
During the Middle Ages, hardly any Arabs traveled to Europe – the region simply had nothing to offer. Those who did travel north, however, complained about the "raw" and "animal-like" behavior of the "Francs" – and about their lack of culture. By Mona Naggar
Religious Tourism in the Middle Ages
The late Middle Ages gave rise to a kind of religious tourism. The pious and the adventurous headed east to visit holy sites and exotic locations. One of them was Bernhard von Breydenbach, a Deacon of Mainz Cathedral. By Sandra Schmies
The late Middle Ages gave rise to a kind of religious tourism. The pious and the adventurous headed east to visit holy sites and exotic locations. One of them was Bernhard von Breydenbach, a Deacon of Mainz Cathedral. By Sandra Schmies
Hans Christian Andersen's Trips to the Orient
The Danish author Hans Christian Andersen, whose 200th birthday is currently being celebrated around the world, was known for his extensive traveling. His lust for adventure led him as far away as Morocco. Christian Hauck recounts the author's impressions
The Danish author Hans Christian Andersen, whose 200th birthday is currently being celebrated around the world, was known for his extensive traveling. His lust for adventure led him as far away as Morocco. Christian Hauck recounts the author's impressions
Pierre Loti
Under the pen name Pierre Loti, Frenchman Julien Viaud brought us the zeitgeist of Orientalism in literary form. His autobiographically inspired novels paint a romantic picture of the "mysterious" Orient and manifest a longing for the exotic. Susan Javad reports
Under the pen name Pierre Loti, Frenchman Julien Viaud brought us the zeitgeist of Orientalism in literary form. His autobiographically inspired novels paint a romantic picture of the "mysterious" Orient and manifest a longing for the exotic. Susan Javad reports
Carsten Niebuhr's "Arabian Voyage"
Carsten Niebuhr was the sole survivor of the "Royal Danish Arabia Expedition." The German mathematician and cartographer is today regarded as the first scientific research explorer of modern times. By Friedhelm Hartwig
Carsten Niebuhr was the sole survivor of the "Royal Danish Arabia Expedition." The German mathematician and cartographer is today regarded as the first scientific research explorer of modern times. By Friedhelm Hartwig
Views of Europe from a Combative Intellectual
Among the many Arab intellectuals who travelled through Europe in the 19th century, Ahmad Faris al-Shidyaq stands out as a dazzling character. He was a brilliant intellectual, and he was a combative spirit. A portrait by Barbara Winckler
Among the many Arab intellectuals who travelled through Europe in the 19th century, Ahmad Faris al-Shidyaq stands out as a dazzling character. He was a brilliant intellectual, and he was a combative spirit. A portrait by Barbara Winckler
Rifa'a Rafi' al-Tahtawi
In the 19th century it was not only Europeans who were seized by the wanderlust to see the Orient. The number of people traveling in the opposite direction, from the Orient to Europe, also rose rapidly. Barbara Winckler reports
In the 19th century it was not only Europeans who were seized by the wanderlust to see the Orient. The number of people traveling in the opposite direction, from the Orient to Europe, also rose rapidly. Barbara Winckler reports
Historical Travelogues by Women
Up until the 20th century, it was uncommon for European women to travel the Orient. Those who did, however, shared attitudes ranging from open curiosity and sympathy to the shameless conceit of superiority and racism – just like their men. By Andreas Pflitsch
Up until the 20th century, it was uncommon for European women to travel the Orient. Those who did, however, shared attitudes ranging from open curiosity and sympathy to the shameless conceit of superiority and racism – just like their men. By Andreas Pflitsch
Max Baron of Oppenheim
As diplomat and explorer, Max Baron of Oppenheim's knowledge of the Orient was exceptional for the time. His interest in the Arab world was unique as well in that it was free from condescension. A portrait by Andreas Pflitsch
As diplomat and explorer, Max Baron of Oppenheim's knowledge of the Orient was exceptional for the time. His interest in the Arab world was unique as well in that it was free from condescension. A portrait by Andreas Pflitsch
Gertrude Bell's Orient Travels
Gertrude Bell was one of the few women that in the 19th century travelled the Orient. In trying to escape rigid Victorian conventions, she ended up as an agent for the British Secret Service and as personal advisor to Iraq's King Faisal I. By Andreas Pflitsch
Gertrude Bell was one of the few women that in the 19th century travelled the Orient. In trying to escape rigid Victorian conventions, she ended up as an agent for the British Secret Service and as personal advisor to Iraq's King Faisal I. By Andreas Pflitsch
Julius Euting's Arabian Travelogue
Julius Euting, 19th-century German philosopher and Orientalist, embodied the dry empiricist spirit of his time. On his 1883-1884 journey to the Arabian Peninsula, however, he also made numerous exceptional and curious observations. Andreas Pflitsch reports
Julius Euting, 19th-century German philosopher and Orientalist, embodied the dry empiricist spirit of his time. On his 1883-1884 journey to the Arabian Peninsula, however, he also made numerous exceptional and curious observations. Andreas Pflitsch reports
An Elegant Pilgrimage
The Orientalist, writer and dandy Baron Heinrich von Maltzan was a passionate traveller as well as an attentive observer and a good storyteller. In 1860 he went on a pilgrimage to Mecca. By Andreas Pflitsch
The Orientalist, writer and dandy Baron Heinrich von Maltzan was a passionate traveller as well as an attentive observer and a good storyteller. In 1860 he went on a pilgrimage to Mecca. By Andreas Pflitsch
Cees Nooteboom Travels the Islamic World
Cees Nooteboom, one of Europe's most prominent authors, is widely regarded as a cosmopolitan. But his recently-published collection of travel writing reveals him to be an aesthete with a very selective view of things. Reviewed by Ilja Braun
Cees Nooteboom, one of Europe's most prominent authors, is widely regarded as a cosmopolitan. But his recently-published collection of travel writing reveals him to be an aesthete with a very selective view of things. Reviewed by Ilja Braun
A Train Journey from Tehran to Aleppo
For decades, relations between Syria and Iran have been close. And for several years now there has been a railway connection between the capitals of the two countries. Manuela Römer took the sixty-hour journey from Tehran to Aleppo in Northern Syria
For decades, relations between Syria and Iran have been close. And for several years now there has been a railway connection between the capitals of the two countries. Manuela Römer took the sixty-hour journey from Tehran to Aleppo in Northern Syria
The Orient Express
Seventy years ago, a luxury train connected what is present-day Istanbul with the Middle East. The famous rail line, which was frequently used by Agatha Christie, was the creation of German engineers. Klaus Hillenbrand recently traveled by train from Istanbul to Aleppo
Seventy years ago, a luxury train connected what is present-day Istanbul with the Middle East. The famous rail line, which was frequently used by Agatha Christie, was the creation of German engineers. Klaus Hillenbrand recently traveled by train from Istanbul to Aleppo
Interview Nouri Al Jarrah
Nouri Al Jarrah heads a research centre in Abu Dhabi whose employees browse through libraries worldwide in search of old Arabic travellers' tales that the institute then publishes in new editions. Julia Gerlach spoke to Al Jarrah
Nouri Al Jarrah heads a research centre in Abu Dhabi whose employees browse through libraries worldwide in search of old Arabic travellers' tales that the institute then publishes in new editions. Julia Gerlach spoke to Al Jarrah
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