Mirabilia descripta: The wonders of the East

Presented as a medieval travel memoir, this work carries the voice of a 14th‑century Franciscan bishop who ventured far beyond the familiar borders of Christendom. He describes bustling ports, towering temples, and the striking customs of peoples he met across India, Ceylon, and the far‑reaching islands of the Indian Ocean. Along the way he records astonishing anecdotes—winged cats in Malabar, gigantic rats in the interior, and strange rites that blend reverence with the macabre—mixing keen observation with the marvel‑filled imagination of his age.

A modern scholarly commentary frames the itinerary, guiding listeners through the layered meanings behind the pilgrim’s observations. The editor highlights how Jordanus’s notes reveal both genuine cultural details and the era’s tendency to blend fact with folklore. By listening, you’ll hear a vivid portrait of a world in transition, where ancient traditions meet the early stirrings of change that would later reshape the subcontinent.