I viaggi di Gio. da Mandavilla, vol. 1 by Sir John Mandeville

Description

I viaggi di Gio. da Mandavilla, vol. 1 by Sir John Mandeville is a historical account written in the late 14th century. The work chronicles the extensive travels of the author, Giovanni da Mandavilla, an English knight from St. Albans, as he explores various regions of the East, including the Holy Land, Persia, and India. The text provides a fascinating glimpse into medieval perceptions of foreign lands, customs, and wonders, filled with elements of both truth and fiction. At the start of the narrative, the author explains his motivations for documenting his travels, emphasizing the value of travel literature in offering knowledge of mysterious places and people. He introduces Mandavilla as a notable figure who embarks on a journey in 1322, accompanied by companions, and receiving protections along the way, most notably from the Sultan of Babylon. The introduction sets the stage for guides through sacred sites in Jerusalem and detailed descriptions of the exotic cultures, treasures, and strange occurrences Mandavilla claims to have witnessed, hinting at a blend of fact and fantastical storytelling that characterizes the entire oeuvre. (This is an automatically generated summary.)